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The White-necked Raven Nesting in Eastern Colorado

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Reports of early observers are unanimous in regard to the great number of White-necked Ravens (Corvus oryptoleuous) once found in the foothills and plains regions of eastern Colorado, where they are now, of rare occurrence. Finding a nest on July 28 of this year containing well-grown young, is therefore of interest, but not less so, the unusual site the birds selected.

Standing not more than one hundred yards from the well-travelled highway, about eighteen miles south of Hugo, Washington County, Colorado, is the framework of an old windmill tower. When passing the spot on the above date, a pair of ravens was observed at rest on the small platform near the top of the eighteen foot structure.

As the region is a slightly rolling, treeless prairie, devoted largely to agriculture, serious thought that the old tower might be a nesting site of the ravens was not entertained, especially as it. was close to a public road and situated in a field of growing corn; but, finding the birds present some hours later, a closer scrutiny was undertaken. This revealed a compact nest composed of weed stalks placed within the square formed by the corner timbers, its top being level with the platform.

An examination of the three young, then two-thirds grown, revealed the white of the basal portions of the throat feathers and thus identified the birds as the now rare White-necked Raven.

Colorado Museum of Natural History, Denver, October 24, 1923

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