Benevolent ID Challenge: Black Bird of Mystery

By Mike • January 20, 2010 • 5 comments

I give up! Readers of this blog are simply TOO gifted in the arena of avian identification. Corey can continue to try to stump you. I, on the other hand, will attempt to harness your wicked powers of perspicacity for good!

For example, following is a photo submitted by reader Jesse Boone of Atlanta, GA. Jesse snapped this shot a couple of years ago but never determined what kind of bird was in the photo. Can you?

(If this turns out to be too tough for you, I might be willing to let you know where the photo was taken!)

Tags: id challenge

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About the Author

Mike

Mike is a leading authority in the field of standardized test preparation, but what he really aspires to be is a naturalist. Besides founding 10,000 Birds and I and the Bird, Mike has also created a number of other entertaining sites and resources, particularly the Nature Blog Network.

5 Responses to “Benevolent ID Challenge: Black Bird of Mystery”

Nick Jan 20th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thick-billed-Ravens.jpg
I’d say that looks pretty good for an ID, but there are other white-necked and/or thick-billed Corvus species so I’d want to double-check the Corvidae family guide first.
david Jan 20th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Thick-billed Raven looks good to me too.
White-naped Raven has a smaller bill, and the white patch is positioned slightly lower.
I’d guess Jesse took the photo in Ethiopia.
The vegetation might have been a clue — but it’s ambiguous. The bird is perched in a eucalyptus tree, but it’s not an Australasian species. However, eucalyptus is widely planted in the highlands of eastern Africa.
Jesse Boone Jan 20th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Yes, it was taken in the highlands of Ethiopia. I was there on a medical missionary trip and snapped pictures of several interesting birds while I was there.
Jesse
Anthony Jan 21st, 2010 at 11:19 am
Certainly a thick-billed raven (Corvus crassirostris).
Mike Jan 21st, 2010 at 11:43 am
You guys are good!

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