Photo via Flickr.
Marmots are a very cool animal that live high up in the Rocky Mountains. Here are 8 fun facts about these cool mammals. Continue reading
8 Facts About Marmots In The Rocky Mountains
Author: Mark Danenhauer
Alpine Animals – Above Tree Line In The Rocky Mountains
What animals live in this amazing world above the trees?
Surprisingly, there are many alpine animals that can be found above the tree line in the Rocky Mountains. Here are some of the main ‘rock stars’. Continue reading
Natural Selection – What Do You Know About This Theory?
A Colorado chipmunk in the Rocky Mountains. Photo via Flickr.
Natural selection is an important theory for anyone that is interested in the natural world. Here is an overview of what it actually is. Continue reading
3 Main Benefits Of Getting Kids Outside In Nature
Lucky kids outside playing in the mud and water!
As a stay at home father I firmly believe the importance of getting kids outside in nature often. Here are three benefits of encouraging our kids to play outside. Continue reading
Why Do Birds Sing? Birding Basics For Beginners
A western tanager singing. Photo via Flickr.
Birds sing for lots of different reasons, such as trying to attract a mate. Here are the two main reasons that birds sing. Continue reading
Evergreen Needles -From A Pine, Spruce, or Fir tree?
What kind of tree are these evergreen needles on? Photo via Flickr.
Evergreen needles grow on many types of trees in the Rocky Mountains. Here are two tests to help you quickly identify if the needles are from a pine, spruce or fir tree. Continue reading
Birds Communicate In Many Ways – Do You Know How?
Photo via Flickr.
Birds communicate with each other by singing songs, through their behavior and even their coloring. Here is an overview on the different ways birds communicate. Continue reading
Spruce vs. Fir – 2 Tricks To Tell Them Apart
Are those spruce trees? Fir trees? Photo via Flickr.
Spruce vs. Fir. That is one of the questions that lots of budding naturalists have a hard time figuring out. Here are two tricks to help you tell those trees apart. Continue reading
5 Bird Courtship Behaviors – Birds Can Be Charming
Ladies…look at these beautiful feathers!
Bird courtship is an incredibly important part of a bird’s life. Do you know what crazy kinds of things birds will do when they are looking for a mate? Continue reading
Crow Or Raven? 3 Simple Tips To Tell Them Apart!
It this a Crow or Raven?
If you see a black bird in the Rocky Mountains do you know if it is a Crow or Raven? Here are three simple tricks to help you tell them apart.
There are lots of birds in the Rocky Mountains, many of which are black. However, two large black birds that look very similar are hard to tell apart unless you know what to look for. Is it a Crow or Raven? Here are three simple tricks that I have learned over the years and use to help me tell apart a crow and raven.
Photo via Flickr.
American Crow
On average is 18 inches tall.
All black.
They are very social birds and will often entertain themselves by getting other birds to chase them.
Crows are also very clever – for example they will follow ducks to catch fish.
Raven
A Raven is on average 24 inches tall, making it slightly bigger than a crow. It can be hard to tell the exact size of the birds from a distance though so the size of the bird is not the best way to differentiate the two.
All black.
Ravens are also very intelligent birds. Native Americans revered them and used to think of them as sly pranksters.
Ravens have learned how to open gates, and get inside of ziplock bags and coolers.
How To Tell Apart A Crow Or Raven
A crow flying. Look at that tail – it is more rounded or square shaped. Photo via Flickr.
How does the bird fly? Does it continually flap its wings while it is flying or does it stop flapping and soar at times? A Crow continually flaps its wings while flying. A Raven stops flapping and soars while it is flying.
A raven flying. Look at that tail…diamond shaped. Photo via Flickr.
Look at the bird’s tail when flying. When flying the tail of these two birds looks different. A Crow’s tail is more of a rounded or square shape. A Raven’t tail will appear to be more of a diamond shape when flying.
How many birds do you see? Ravens often travel in pairs. On the other hands crows are very social and tend to travel with lots of other birds.