30 August 2023
In August within the East Finish of Pittsburgh we get a style of November nightfall. It isn’t the elements or the clouds or the time of sundown. It’s a flock of greater than 100 crows, a touch of the 1000’s to return q4, that acquire on rooftops alongside Neville Side road ahead of flying west to roost.
This 12 months in early August the crows have been completely silent however because the month improved a couple of spoke out, telling me they have been in a blended flock of American and fish crows. American crows (Corvus brachyrhyncos) say “Caw.” Fish crows say a nasal “Uh-oh” (Corvus ossifragus). It’s the one dependable strategy to inform them aside.
American crow: “Caw Caw Caw.”
Fish Crow: Nasal “Uh oh”
I sought after to rely by means of species however the crows remained silent and unidentifiable via many of the month. I attempted to inform them aside by means of sight however my focal point on look made it inconceivable to rely. So I forestall making an attempt. My August eBird checklists position they all as “American crows” with an X for “Fish crows provide.”
Then all at once remaining Saturday they have been all “speaking” and about 3 quarters of them have been fish crows. The flock persevered on Sunday night time however I used to be too busy to rely. I shouldn’t have assumed they’d be right here on Monday. They have been long past and so they haven’t been again.
The large flocks will arrive in past due October, made out of 90+% American crows.
For now we’re within the Calm Ahead of The Crows.
p.s. eBird’s Fish Crow Weekly Abundance map presentations a dot in Pittsburgh within the month of August … after which it’s long past. Watch the animation right here.
(credit are within the captions)