The unidentified corvids at the local park have been loud and rowdy for the past two days

[conuly]

More loud and rowdy than usual, I mean. I can't quite decide if they're having an exuberant party or simply engaging in vigorous political debate.

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Comments

[dewline]

Usually, they're scolding me for something I don't remember having done (but was likely horrific to them anyway).

[conuly]

This isn't the case now - I've been hearing them two blocks away! They do NOT shut up, but I'm also not seeing them, so I don't think they're scolding anybody. I'd expect more divebombing.

[lilysea]

Could the crows be calling to attract a mate?

[conuly]

I don't even know for sure that they *are* crows. I can't tell the difference between crows and ravens, though I've looked it up several times. I just keep forgetting.

I suppose they might be trying to get laid. That falls under "wild party", right?

[robby]

Ravens are so big, it's a little scary! My favorite corvid are magpies. In a perfect world, I would find a baby magpie and teach it to talk.

[conuly]

I'm sure you do mean that in a perfect world you'd find a baby magpie and observe it for a while until you spotted its parents, because most baby birds - including most corvids - don't need rescuing and a lot of harm is done people people who think they do.

[conuly]

(I know that's a bit preachy, and I apologize. It's just... if it's not feral kittens, I have feelings about animals staying with Mom.)

[robby]

I had a baby magpie in the yard a few weeks ago. First, I saw an adult magpie low-swooping Dinah and the kitten, then I noticed the little magpie perched for a few hours in various bushes. I don't know it ended. Maybe in bird heaven?

[jessie_c]

I can't tell the difference between crows and ravens, though I've looked it up several times. I just keep forgetting.

This can help with that

[bibliofile]

Barrel rolls!!!! Xclnt.

[pauamma]

I remember coming across the following heuristic somewhere *gestures vaguely at the Internet*: if you think "large enough to be a raven", it's still a crow. If you think "holy shit, how large is that??!?", then it's a raven.

[bibliofile]

That's helpful! Thank you.

[chanter1944]

Re exuberant party or vigorous debate: Both at once? XD

[bitterlawngnome]

Around here it's the time of year when the crows resume forming large flocks to roost at night (they go off in pairs in the spring to nest & raise kids), and it always involves quite a lot of socializing / social jostling.

[adafrog]

I would guess political debate, but it's about the sasquatches in Idaho and their recent mayoral race.