How to translate text using browser tools
1 March 2010 Characteristics of Common Raven (Corvus corax) Predation on Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) EGGS
Jane E. Austin, Carl D. Mitchell
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Common Ravens (Corvus corax) are considered an important predator of Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) eggs, but direct observations of predation events are rare. We observed 25 events of Common Ravens at or near artificial nests with infertile crane eggs; 15 of those events resulted in predation. Reconnaissance time averaged 1.8 ± 3.0 min, egg handling averaged 5.8 ± 3.9 min, and total time to reconnoiter, approach, and consume or remove eggs from a nest averaged 8.4 ± 5.7 min. Ravens consumed 67% of the eggs at the nest and cached the other 33%. To eat an egg, ravens always punched a hole in the surface, but hole sizes and shapes differed. To cache eggs, ravens carried eggs away intact, leaving no evidence in the nest, and concealed them 5.5 to 180 m from the nest. The rapidity of some raven depredation events indicates a high potential for success of taking crane eggs from an active but unattended nests. Given the diverse patterns of eggshell remains and ravens' ability to carry whole eggs, distinguishing egg predation by ravens from other predators would be very difficult.

Jane E. Austin and Carl D. Mitchell "Characteristics of Common Raven (Corvus corax) Predation on Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) EGGS," Northwestern Naturalist 91(1), 23-29, (1 March 2010). https://doi.org/10.1898/NWN09-01.1
Received: 18 January 2009; Accepted: 1 June 2009; Published: 1 March 2010
KEYWORDS
behavior
Common Raven
Corvus corax
egg predation
Grus canadensis tabida
Idaho
sandhill crane
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top