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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Eyes on the skies: $16.7 million would keep radar stations in top shape through 2030 ... Our view: RCC's health care opportunity can't be lost ... Medford plans to go after utilty debtors ... Eyes on the skies: $16.7 million would keep radar stations in top shape through 2030 ... Our view: RCC's health care opportunity can't be lost ... Medford plans to go after utilty debtors ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Birders disagree on the species of large black birds spotted near Roxy Ann Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 17, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 17, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News Ah, controversy rears its dark head, more specifically the black heads of crows and ravens. A Since You Asked response in Monday's paper referred to crows that seem to congregate near Roxy Ann Peak on the east side of Medford. Local birder Jeff Tufts says, however, he's documented numerous ravens, but only handfuls of crows near the mountaintop. So, with a tip of the beak (of our cap), we offer Jeff's response: While the general information about crows in Monday's (Dec. 15) Since You Asked column is spot on, the birds about which "Anonymous" inquired are almost certainly common ravens. The elevation of Roxy Ann (even at its highest point) is not high enough to preclude the possibility of American crows being present, but it seems to be a territory that is "controlled" by ravens. I've submitted several dozen bird sightings lists to eBird ( eBird.org ) from Roxy Ann since 2010, but only two of those lists include sightings of American crows (highest total was six). Virtually every list includes sightings of common ravens with totals as high as 40 or 50 birds on some occasions. And, while crows may occasionally venture into the Roxy Ann area, it's extremely unlikely that large groups of them would be seen circling the peak as described by "Anonymous." Ravens, on the other hand, can be seen doing that frequently. Interestingly, the area around Agate Lake (only a few miles from Roxy Ann Peak and about 2,000 feet lower in elevation) is also dominated by ravens. Rogue Valley Audubon Society has been conducting monthly bird surveys at Agate since February of this year, and ravens have been seen during each count. Crows have been recorded only once, and that was in an agricultural field adjoining the lake. As noted, American crows and common ravens each inhabit the Rogue Valley year-round in significant numbers, but there seem to be certain areas where the ravens are dominant. They are bigger, stronger, and better fliers than crows, and, in any given territory, they assert their superiority if they so choose. — Jeff Tufts, Medford Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them.   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 17, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501