A Young Common Raven With Brown Feathers Near Black Mesa

I photographed what appears to be a young Common Raven near Black Mesa in Oklahoma. It perched on a ranch entry arch, but I didn’t notice its unusual coloring until that evening.

While viewing the photos on my computer, I saw brown mixed into the black feathers. I contacted my friend Mia, a bird photographer who knows a lot about birds. After looking at my photos, she thought this raven appeared young, perhaps a first-year bird.

Why a Young Common Raven Can Look Brown

After talking with Mia, I read more about raven plumage. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology describes juvenile Common Ravens as browner than adults, with dull brown breast and chest feathers.

Young ravens can have less glossy plumage than mature birds. Adults show a stronger sheen, while juveniles can look brownish-black across parts of their bodies.

The difference also involves feather age. Young ravens replace some feathers during their first partial molt, while retaining juvenile wing and tail feathers. Those retained feathers can look dull blackish-brown beside newer, glossy black ones.

That supports Mia’s assessment, though I can’t confirm this bird’s exact age from these photographs. I’ll describe it as an apparent young raven, possibly in its first year.

A Closer Look at My Raven Photos

I noticed the color difference during my evening review, after I had finished photographing the bird. Looking at the images on my computer gave me a chance to study details I had missed in the field.

In the second photo, I caught the raven calling. Another raven was in the area, although I don’t know whether the two were related.

I can’t tell what prompted the call. Still, I like having that moment alongside the first photograph because it records something the bird was doing.

Thankful for Mia’s Help

I appreciate Mia taking the time to look at these photos. Her suggestion gave me a reason to learn more about how raven plumage changes with age.

The next time I photograph a raven, I’ll pay closer attention to the difference between dull feathers and glossy ones.