View this post on Hive: What Bird is That? (Australia) - Australian Raven

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Australian Raven

Corvus coronoides (perplexus)

Field Information

• Abundance: Listed as being common (C) to locally uncommon (LUC)
• Movement: Noted to be Sendentary to Nomadic
• Identification Feature: Throat hackles that form a long beard (seen on the parents)
• Distribution: An endemic race recorded only in Australia.

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It was a little difficult to identify this lovely family of Ravens who were happily feeding in my front garden. There were two juveniles scratching around in the grass with their parents, however once I started taking photos, the parents were happy to fly off to some nearby branches, watching over the youngsters from afar... and to keep a watchful on me, I'm sure.

At first glance, I thought they might have been crows however there were some minor differences listed in my book that helped me identify the correct bird which is said to be the largest corvid in Australia at a size of 52 cm.

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The first distinctive feature were 'throat hackles that look like a beard', this was sighted on both parents... I could also see that they had a grey-brown basal down. The final identifying feature was only noticed once the bird took to flight and I was able to see the shape of the wings and tail, this was the 'icing on the cake' so to speak.

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While the youngsters had brown eyes, both parents had white eyes. They all had large black bills, glossy black plumage and a distinctive call that is described as follows;

high, far-carrying, child-like wailing; a series of slow notes 'aaaa....' with strangled, drawn out finish;

I find it quite amusing that they sound like someone saying a long drawn out 'faaaaaaark'. (small things amuse small minds lol)

They are habitually found in most areas except closed forests

_{Reference: Simpson & Day: Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (8th Edition)}

Finally, just for a bit of fun (and to brush up on my photoshop skills)

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