30 August 2023
In August within the East Finish of Pittsburgh we get a style of November nightfall. It isn’t the climate 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 this fall, that collect on rooftops alongside Neville Avenue earlier than flying west to roost.
This yr in early August the crows had been completely silent however because the month progressed just a few spoke out, telling me they had 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 approach to inform them aside.
American crow: “Caw Caw Caw.”
Fish Crow: Nasal “Uh oh”
I needed to rely by species however the crows remained silent and unidentifiable by a lot of the month. I attempted to inform them aside by sight however my give attention to look made it not possible to rely. So I cease attempting. My August eBird checklists place all of them as “American crows” with an X for “Fish crows current.”
Then abruptly final Saturday they had been all “speaking” and about three quarters of them had been fish crows. The flock continued on Sunday night however I used to be too busy to rely. I shouldn’t have assumed they’d be right here on Monday. They had been gone they usually haven’t been again.
The large flocks will arrive in late October, comprised of 90+% American crows.
For now we’re within the Calm Earlier than The Crows.
p.s. eBird’s Fish Crow Weekly Abundance map reveals a dot in Pittsburgh within the month of August … after which it’s gone. Watch the animation right here.
(credit are within the captions)
