Power line nests put US ravens in pole position for prey

[xchrom]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25656289


Ravens have learned to take advantage of human infrastructure such as power lines


Ravens in the US are building their nests on electricity power lines and using the height to target their prey, according to new research.

The scientists say the majority of ravens in the study area were now living on transmission poles and posed a bigger threat to endangered species.

Raven numbers in western states have increased by more than 300% in the past 40 years, say the researchers.

The study is published in The Condor: Ornithological Applications.

[dipsydoodle]

1. I've only seen ravens down at the Tower of London.

Legend says that the kingdom and the Tower will fall if the six resident ravens ever leave the fortress.

It was Charles II, according to the stories, who first insisted that the ravens of the Tower should be protected.

This was against the wishes of his astronomer, John Flamsteed, who complained that the ravens impeded the business of his observatory in the White Tower.

Despite their having one wing trimmed, some ravens do in fact go absent without leave and others have had to be sacked.

Raven George was dismissed for eating television aerials, and Raven Grog was last seen outside an East End pub.

- See more at: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/theravens#sthash.YF8yRaac.dpuf

[xchrom]

2. the tower ravens are a stitch.

i'm pretty tempted to believe they know they have special status.