Carrion Crow or Raven? Thetford. Sept 2023 (1 Viewer)

[Josh1234]

Evening all- an easy one for you here.

I saw and heard a number of ravens at Elveden Center Parcs (Thetford) this weekend.

I photographed two corvids perched quite close to the bird hide there which I would appreciate a positive ID on.

My initial impression was raven.
The bills seemed heavy, they were clearly travelling together, there were some obvious throat feathers BUT they didn't strike me as massive birds and nor did their bills.

I did snap a definite raven further away which didn't seem any bigger (including the bill).

Please confirm either way and if there are any further ID tips- I'd be grateful.

All the best,
Josh

 

[KC Foggin]

I'm going with Raven.

 

[payaminotom]

Interesting, for me this is a Carrion Crow.

 

[Bewick]

Honestly conflicted I could see it being either- bill looks quite heavy.

 

[Butty]

Identify ravens by call, or by shape in flight: far far easier than silent birds on the ground.
Pic 4 seems possible - apparently-graduated tail. Otherwise, pics don't look terribly raveny - which isn't saying anything either way.

 

[HouseCrow]

I would say Carrion, photo 4 would show an even thicker bill and further extended feathering on the bill when Raven...no?

Cheers
g

 

[THE_FERN]

Carrion crow for me; bill would be bigger and tail more triangular (not square as here) for raven. "Last" pic 14... shows that bill actually quite small

 

[Bewick]

I'm leaning towards carrion crow more now- tail would be more rounded and bill does look less heavy in the last pic. Though again I'm not sure an confident ID should be made. They are better separated from the field and flight pics are optimal for separating the two species.

 

[Joern Lehmhus]

It is a carrion crow, see tail shape and bill size, alsonthroat feathers point to carrion crow.

 

[pianoman]

I usually find that if you have to think about it, it's not a raven - when you see a raven you know it. Agree that this is Carrion Crow, it's just not bulky and powerful enough for Raven

 

[Josh1234]

Thanks everyone. Appreciate your help and guidance.

All the best,
Josh