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| Statue of a raven on the grounds of the Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site in Philadelphia, PA by Midnightdreary via Wikimedia Commons |
Ravens are birds that have been a part of many mythologies. They were companions to the Norse god Odin. Native Americans thought of them as tricksters. And almost everyone knows that "Nevermore" raven in Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem by that name.
But the real life raven is one of several larger-bodied species of the genus Corvus. There is no consistent distinction between "crows" and "ravens", and these names have been assigned to different species chiefly on the basis of their size. Crows are generally considered smaller than ravens, and the largest raven species are the common raven and the thick-billed raven.
The common raven, Corvus corax, has the widest distribution of any of the Corvidae family that includes crows, jays, nutcrackers, magpies and related birds such as rooks, jackdaws, and choughs. It is also the largest and heaviest of the passerines, or perching birds. And you may have heard that it is also one of the smartest birds.
Have you seen ravens in New Jersey? They were once numerous in our state. They disappeared as a nesting bird in New Jersey in the 1920s. But in the early 1990s they began to breed once more in NJ and their numbers have been increasing ever since.
If you are curious about our Jersey ravens, the Wednesday, January 10 meeting of the Montclair Bird Club will feature “Return of the Raven,” presented by writer and environmental consultant Rick Radis. He will cover the historic status of the common raven in eastern North America, its return and its present status. Rick Radis is a past editor of NJ Birds, NJ Audubon Magazine and other conservation publications. His writing, editorial and photography have appeared in the New York Times, TNY, and many other national and regional publications.
The club's meeting on Jan. 10 begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Union Congregational Church in Montclair. The meeting is free and open to the public.
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| Common raven By Stephencdickson - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link |
22 comments:
At my Job we have a nesting pair of Ravens. They just started to build their nest. Last year they were chased off by maintenance. Are they protected enough that the nest can be left in place
Ravens are not threatened or endangered in NJ and so are not protected in that way.
I just saw my 1st raven in bricktown New Jersey And it was an awesome sight he hung around for about 15 minutes and flew away Is looking forward to see a more.
I spotted one in New Providence last week. And my family spotted one today. Probably the same one.
I saw one in Flemington, NJ today - 1/31/'22. It was being mobbed by six crows but was indifferent to their attack.
Saw my first raven ever today in Ocean City NJ. I was shocked at how big they are!
Two of them near the Hamilton train station. Eating out of garbage cans in the nearby housing development. Huge, tend to glide , loud raspy voice.
There had been one around or neighbourhood in North Arlington for a few months since early spring and we recently saw three together in a nearby tree. It has been very surprising to see them. They appear and disappear periodically.
I’m excited to report a nesting pair in my Hillsborough NJ neighborhood for the first time.
Happy to report a nesting pair at my workplace in Lafayette, Sussex County. We've also seen others hiking recently near the Paulinskill. And now it seems more ravens are helping themselves to our trash, as well as our neighbors. I've lived in NJ all my life and saw them only rarely. Does this mean we're in the midst of some sort of resurgence?
Saw my first raven this morning in Butler NJ. I thought it was a turkey vulture at first because it was so large. The raven was flying from rooftop to rooftop, all the while being harassed by a group of crows. I couldn’t believe how big it was compared to the crows chasing it.
Sighted today soaring over my house in Harrison, New Jersey, was a pair of ravens calling to each other in that deep, guttural call. The unfamiliar sound of them made me look up!
There have been a beautiful pair of ravens that nest at the old B.L. England coal plant in Beesleys Point, NJ that is currently being demoed. Wish there was protection for them along with the other bird life including the peregrine falcons and osprey that will be returning there to nest again!
There is a nesting pair at B.L. England old coal plant in Beesleys Point NJ that is being demoed
Saw my first Raven, In Marmora NJ. Large and impressive.
I just spotted one in Maplewood.
Saw a raven... first time ever. Kingwood twp., just south of frenchtown.
Just saw my first Raven in Hewitt, NJ
Saw a pair at work in Manalapan- I first thought- boy, that’s a big crow- but then noticed the wedge shaped tail- only ever seen them in Maine and out west. Nice sighting!
I've seen them for sometime now in the Bradley Gardens section of Bridgewater by the river.
Just saw my first one in millstone twp. , huge. Looked like a crow the size of a vulture.
Just saw one in Wayne, NJ, Jan. 2024. 1st one I’ve seen in Jersey.
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