Ravens?

["Tonya Haff" <>]

Hey all,

I have a question about telling Australian from Little Raven.  I have been assuming that what I've been seeing in town are Australian Ravens, but now I'm not as positive.  According to Simpson and Day, the throat hackles of AURA are pointed and united, while the throat hackles of LIRA are split at the tip, and the two species also differ in voice.  I hear what are definitively AURA daily in the botanic gardens in town, and as far as I am aware, I have never heard LIRA in the gardens.  However, I just snapped this shot on Friday (below).  The upper throat hackles look split to me.  This bird did not call.  So is it possible and likely  to have both species around, or are there some more subtle throat hackle rules, or...?  Any elucidation would be much appreciated!

Cheers,

Tonya
--
Tonya Haff
PhD candidate
School of Botany and Zoology
Australian National University
Mobile: 04-3331-2908
Lab: 6125-5651

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