ComingsBirds.com/Birdgroups-A-L

To the Beauty of Birds

The Common Raven Corvus corax is a large black crow-like bird with a great history in literature (ala Edgar Allen Poe) and an increasing reputation for being one very small animal with some cognitive abilities that were once thought to be unique to humans.

"Generally, birds don’t get credit for being smart animals. Just think of the way the expression “bird-brained” is used. But corvids, which include magpies, crows, and ravens in particular, flutter in the face of this negative stereotype. Their behavior is often so clever, cunning, fun-loving, smart, and witty that it has motivated researchers to try to explain why. In fact, some scientists consider these black-feathered scavengers’ position on the intelligence spectrum to be on par with canids such as wolves, coyotes, and dogs, and have conducted experiments to try to quantify the raven’s brainpower."
www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/ravens

Like the Great-tailed Grackles these were photographed in the parking lot of the stores of the Outlet Mall, Primm, NV. Maybe they wanted to shop in the stores. The photo of the Common Raven in flight was taken Near Santa Cruz, CA.

Common Raven

Common Raven 0952

Common Raven 0957

Common Raven 0939

Raven 0813

Raven 5091