>
> Once the NW Crow was isolated from the American, but we are now
> seeing a mixing of genes between the populations with perhaps a rather
> broad cline now in place. Populations showing intergradation of the NW Crow
> may well extent south to northern Caifornia.
>
> What do the Oregon birders think?
>
> From: Jerry Tangren, Wenatchee WA
> <gsw$en at wsuvm1.csc.wsu.edu>

I can't speak for all Oregon birders, but most feel that Northwestern Crow
does not exist as a separate species. The above paragraph sounds reasonable.
For the same reason (probably) the demise of Thayer's/Kumlien's/Iceland Gull.
We'll probably be having this discussion about Western/Glaucous-winged Gull
in 30 years.

In the 1970s the term "Yachats Crow" (pronounced: ya-hots) was coined for
the Brewer's Blackbird-sized crows of the central Oregon coast, near the
town of Yachats in Lincoln County. Perhaps this was most noticeable, because
the birds just inland, in Eugene, are larger than many crows northward toward
Portland. This doesn't seem to be a trend from small birds north to larger
birds south; rather there are "pockets" of smaller birds on the central
Oregon coast, and, I understand, also in northern California as well.

I think that live-trapping of crows on Northwestern beaches and coastal areas
from southern Alaska to northern California would be a worthwhile project.
While you're (not me!) at it, you might do the same for Western/Glaucous-
winged Gulls. They are both scavengers, sharing the same range and habitat,
and apparently combining previously separated forms.

-greg-

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