Raven or crow, eastern Saudi Arabia (1 Viewer)

[AJDH]

I'm not too sure of the identity of this bird, any help would be appreciated.

http://www.birdforum.net/pp_gallery/data/3206/33708AJD1969_800w.jpg

 

[Motmot]

It´s a Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis). Nice picture!

 

[Larry Lade]

To me it looks like a Crow. I believe a Raven would have a more massive bill and a somewhat wedged tail.

 

[AJDH]

It´s a Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis). Nice picture!

Thanks, that was my initial thought but I'd been told they were extinct in this area. They've obviously made a comeback.

 

[Hotspur]

Larry, Brown necked Raven are smaller than common raven and with less massive bill, showing a bronze sheen to the nape.

 

[Larry Lade]

I guess I sort of missed that one!

 

[HH75]

Hi all,
I have no literature with me, and have only seen a handful of Brown-necked Ravens, but I find it difficult solely on the available pic to completely exclude House Crow: know that these can be found around Eilat, but are there any in Saudi Arabia? Somehow looks less 'raven-like' about the head from what I recall for Brown-necked Raven, but it's hard to be sure either way.
Regards,
Harry

 

[AJDH]

Hi all,
I have no literature with me, and have only seen a handful of Brown-necked Ravens, but I find it difficult solely on the available pic to completely exclude House Crow: know that these can be found around Eilat, but are there any in Saudi Arabia? Somehow looks less 'raven-like' about the head from what I recall for Brown-necked Raven, but it's hard to be sure either way.
Regards,
Harry

Hello Harry,

I once sent a similar picture to a birder in Bahrain. He identified it as an Indian house crow and I do know they have been introduced there. As it's only about 20 kilometers, pardon the expression, as the crow flies, I see no reason why they should not frequent the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. It seems we have a bit of an enigma on our hands.

 

[Frenchy]

My initial thoughts were brown-necked raven, but on second look i think its a house crow. The outer wing is perhaps too broad and rounded for a b-n raven, with this species having quite a long and pointed wing. Tricky from one picture, but i'd say a dark house crow.

 

[JANJ]

Good spotting Harry!

http://www.oiseaux.net/photos/ian.boustead/corbeau.brun.1.html

http://www.lintukuva.fi/dubai/050224.html

JanJ

 

[AStevenson]

I'm for house crow too - B-N ravens although smaller than Common Raven still look raven shaped/proportioned. Primaries look too rounded and not 'fingered' enough to be raven sp. Also on my monitor the nape, neck etc look dark grey contrasting with the blacker crown and face - typical of house crow.

Cheers,
Andrew