A large number of Bhutanese tend to confuse our National Bird - Common Raven (Corvus corax) for the Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos). The reason is provably that more than 95% of Bhutanese would not have seen the National Bird because they live at altitudes around 14,000 ft. and upwards. The more common Large-billed Crow can be seen all over the country.
It is really simple to distinguish between the two Ravens.
The Common Raven is much larger and has a flatter head while the Large-billed Crow is smaller and has a domed head, with thicker bill. The national bird has prominent throat-hackles and the feathering extends halfway to the tip of the bill.
They have two distinctly different calls – the national bird’s call is much more louder.
The National Bird: Common Raven (Corvus corax) photographed at the base of Mt. Gangkhar Puensoom in October, 2010
The Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos) - found all over the country
The Bhutanese term for the National Bird is Bja Oro while the Large-billed Crow is called Bja Ola.
There is a saying in Bhutanese that goes:
“Ngado Goe Gii Chaag; Kaang Oro Gii Jiip”
Translated into English, the saying would go thus:
“The Raptor cracks open the thigh bone but the Raven gets the marrow”
The wisdom: Someone puts in the hard work but someone else reaps the rewards.
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