We report a Common Raven (Corvus corax) that learned to turn on a water faucet in a campground at Death Valley National Park, Inyo County, California, USA, and drink from it. Ad libitum availability of water has important implications for survival and reproductive success of desert birds. Ravens commonly exploit anthropogenic sources of water and food; these behaviors are of interest because ravens can be important predators of the federally-threatened desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). Our observation is further evidence of the resourcefulness of ravens and challenges involved in limiting access to anthropogenic resources for an intelligent, subsidized predator.
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1 March 2009
Ad Libitum Water Source for a Common Raven
Lawrence M. Hanks,
James D. Barbour,
Kim Kratz,
William C. Webb
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The Wilson Journal of Ornithology
Vol. 121 • No. 1
March 2009
Vol. 121 • No. 1
March 2009