Common or Chihuahan Raven? US, NM, Valles Caldera, August (1 Viewer)

[mightyflier]

So if I understand the field guides, white-based neck feathers argues in favor of Chihuahan Raven and is a pretty strong field mark. (Also the day was partly overcast so I don't think the feathers are appearing falsely white from glare.)

However, Chihuahan is rare for northwest New Mexico, and the head profile is more like the Common Raven pictures I see.

So which is it? Could this be a hybrid? Do these ravens hybridize?

Also, is this an immature or just a molting bird or either? Sibley's field guide seems to suggest that immatures expose neck feather bases but this could just be an effect of not having enough space to clarify everything.

 

[KC Foggin]

After going through Google images I'm with you on Chihuahuan Raven

 

[njlarsen]

One additional clue I have seen is the extent of feathering on the upper mandible should be longer on the culmen of Chuhuahuan than Common R. The profile shot is borderline supportive of that.

Niels

 

[njlarsen]

Much more on the identification of these two with a Colorado point of view: https://cobirds.org/Publications/ColoradoBirds/InTheScope/63.pdf

Shoots down the bristle length as useful, at least in Colorado! However, the color at the base of the neck feathers also is stated as variable ...

Niels

 

[mightyflier]

Much more on the identification of these two with a Colorado point of view: https://cobirds.org/Publications/ColoradoBirds/InTheScope/63.pdf

Shoots down the bristle length as useful, at least in Colorado! However, the color at the base of the neck feathers also is stated as variable ...

Niels

Thanks Niels, I really enjoyed the article you posted.

Still not perfectly certain, but I have more information, and perhaps that's the most that can be hoped for!