"Acrobatic
Survivor"
Common Raven
Ravens are a year-round resident in Southern Utah. When most birds, including snowbirds, leave for cooler climates, the Raven stays to raise its young in our hot surroundings.
These large black birds are generally seen singularly or in pairs in the spring and summer when they are mating and raising their young. They lay three to eight blue to greenish eggs in nests on cliffs or on power poles, generally far away from people.
In winter there are crows in our area, but for the rest of the year look for the distinctive wedge-shaped tail to identify it as a Raven. Crows are a fourth smaller and have a flat tail.
Ravens are superb fliers. Their aerial displays, when courting in spring, are a rare treat. They soar, dive and even tumble through the sky. Their aerobatics are again seen in the fall and winter as family groups ride the early storms, frolicking on the blustery winds in the mountains around Southern Utah. During deer hunting season, one observer has spent many cold hours watching Ravens play on the mountain winds.
Ravens conserve energy when flying most of the year by soaring as much as possible. But, when needed, their large wings can give them rapid flight.
The Raven is regularly seen feeding on rabbits and squirrels killed on the road. They are often seen working farm and ranch fields looking for insects. Another favorite food is young Desert Tortoise. The Raven's nest sites commonly contain empty tortoise shells. Raven numbers have increased due to the expansion of humans into the desert with accompanying landfills, road kills, and fast-food garbage. Enjoy these aerial acrobats of our sky who thrive in our area.
Keith Davis is the artist for this week's Common Raven. Thanks, Keith, for sharing your talent with us. If you see something unusual, or just want to talk about birds, call Marilyn Davis/Red Cliffs Audubon at 435 673-0996.