Ravens?

[flybabyfly]

There has been an explosion in the raven population in the last week - any idea why?  They are extremely noisy!

[sharyn]

They are scavengers.  Is there anything dead (roadkill?) or trash that was dumped nearby?

[ChrisLynnet]

I don't know, but I think we have American Crows and not the raven, although I think ravens are very cool. I'm certainly willing to be corrected.

[sharyn]

Down here in the Phelan flats it is ravens.

[PatPack]

Oh, that's so weird you posted that. I was thinking the same thing. They were all around our house yesterday "talking" to each other. Then I noticed them flying around in groups during my run today and yesterday. Weird! I'm on the east side of town. Is that where you are?

[TimG]

I don't know why they sometimes exhibit flocking behavior and sometimes don't seem to, but when I was in college in upstate NY, one weekend randomly in the fall we had thousands of ravens in the trees -- maybe tens of thousands -- and then a few days later they were gone.  It was bizarre, and more than a little creepy.

[flybabyfly]

I just spent a bit of time researching the difference between ravens and crows, and I believe these to be ravens.  First off, they are HUGE.  Secondly, they have varied vocalizations and sometimes make chortling sounds (crows just go caw caw!).  Looking at pictures they have the correct tails.  And they are very noisy in flight, making loud "whoosh whoosh" sounds with their wings.

They seem to be eating the nuts out of the pine cones.

And yes, PatPack, I'm on the east side of town.

[Iris]

Some years ago I went to Moonridge Zoo (?) in Big Bear and they had an exhibit with a crow and a raven next to one another and a list of differences. I used to confuse them until I saw this, there are very obvious differences that I would not have realized until I saw it, I will never confuse them again. Not sure how I ever did after seeing it but it seems to be a common thing 

[The Boys Dad]

I have also seen an explosion in the last week here in the Middle eastern of town.  Have been trying to figure out why and have assumed it has to do with the weather.

[Nolena]

And a flock of ravens is called a "murder."

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/common_raven/id

[ChrisLynnet]

Oh duh, I just realized what was going on! It's clearly the harbinger of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. Time to batten down the hatches and watch for Rod Taylor!

[sage]

I have to agree that they are here eating the pine nuts. Yesterday I saw about 45 Mountain Pidgeons on the roof of my neighbors house just eating those pine nuts. They won't find many of them at my house because my 3 dogs just walk around with their heads down eating every bit that they can find. Their coats will be very shiny!!!

[Wrightwood]

We have a pair of ravens that have been visiting the guzzler for a few years.

[capn mom]

We have a pair of ravens that have been visiting the guzzler for a few years.

so, is one-two ravens an attemted murder? 

[PatPack]

That's funny Capn Mom!! Thanks, I needed that chuckle. Seriously though, the birds are creeping me out!!!!