Subject: [Tweeters] Northwestern crows -- chasing a shadow?
Date: Jan 28 19:49:08 2014
From: Jason Hernandez - jason.hernandez74 at yahoo.com


One of my constant sources of consternation birding in the Northwest is that every identification guide distinguishes the American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos, from the Northwestern crow, Corvus caurinus -- and then emphasizes how impossible they are to tell apart.

Sure, Peterson's shows distinct range maps, but we all know not to rely on range maps; just read any day's posts on Tweeters for sightings of birds in places where the range maps say they shouldn't be.? And the American crow is so adaptable and omnivorous, I would not assume a crow on the beach eating shellfish would necessarily be the Northwestern.? It's enough to make me miss the South -- there, the fish crow Corvus ossifragus at least has a distinct call!

Sooo... is there any hope at all of being sure I have actually seen both these species, or are we doomed to just call them all "crow" and leave it at that?

Jason Hernandez