Common Raven Bird Facts (Corvus corax)

The Common Raven is a large, all-black bird with a thick neck, shaggy throat feathers, and a heavy, curved bill. Its long, wedge-shaped tail and broad, fingered wing tips are distinctive in flight.

Both sexes look alike, with adults displaying a glossy sheen to their plumage. Juveniles are similar but lack a glossy appearance and have duller plumage with brownish tinges.

The Common Raven can be found in Woodland habitats.

The Common Raven is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Common Raven is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

The Common Raven is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

The Common Raven can be found in Urban habitats.

The Common Raven is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Common Raven is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Common Raven is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Common Raven can be found in Tundra habitats.

The Common Raven is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Common Raven can be found in Mountain habitats.

The Common Raven is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Common Ravens inhabit many habitats across the Northern Hemisphere, including forests, mountains, coastal areas, and tundra. They are highly adaptable and can also thrive in urban environments.

In North America, they are found throughout Canada, Alaska, and the western United States. In Europe, they occur across Scandinavia, the UK, and mountainous regions. Their range extends into parts of North Africa and Central Asia.

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Common Raven. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons

Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season

Lebanon

Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range

Malta Panama Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands United Arab Emirates

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Common Raven displays remarkable agility, performing aerial acrobatics including rolls and somersaults in flight. Their ability to navigate diverse habitats from sea level to 6,000 metres elevation further demonstrates their impressive manoeuvrability.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

As a large corvid with a robust build, the Common Raven possesses considerable strength for its size. Their ability to crack open nuts and shellfish by dropping them from heights indicates significant physical power, though not at the level of larger birds of prey.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Common Ravens exhibit exceptional adaptability, thriving in a wide range of habitats from forests and tundra to urban environments. Their problem-solving skills, tool use, and diverse diet showcase their remarkable capacity to adjust to various conditions and challenges.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not typically aggressive towards humans, Common Ravens can display territorial behaviour and engage in cooperative hunting. Their intelligence and opportunistic nature may lead to assertive behaviours, particularly when defending nests or competing for food resources.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Common Raven's ability to inhabit diverse environments, including harsh climates like the Arctic, suggests high endurance. Their large size and capacity for long flights, coupled with their year-round residency in many areas, indicate substantial stamina and resilience.

Common Ravens are opportunistic omnivores with a diverse diet. They feed on carrion, small animals, insects, grains, fruits, and human food scraps. Their intelligence allows them to access various food sources, including cracking open nuts and shellfish by dropping them from heights.

Common Ravens are highly intelligent and social birds. They often engage in aerial acrobatics, performing rolls and somersaults in flight.

Ravens are known for their problem-solving abilities, using tools and exhibiting complex social behaviors, including cooperative hunting and food sharing.

Common Ravens have a diverse vocal repertoire, including deep, resonant croaks, knocking sounds, and a variety of calls. Their primary call is a deep, guttural 'kraaak' or 'gronk-gronk'. They can also mimic other birds and even human speech in captivity.

Common Ravens form long-term pair bonds and breed once a year, typically in late winter or early spring. Courtship involves aerial displays and mutual preening.

Nests are large structures of sticks, often placed on cliff ledges or in tall trees. Females lay 3-7 eggs, which are greenish with brown markings. Both parents contribute to nest building.

Incubation lasts about 20-25 days, primarily by the female. Nestlings fledge after 5-6 weeks but may remain with their parents for several months afterwards.

The Common Raven typically lives for 10 to 15 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

While the Common Raven is listed as Least Concern due to its large range and stable population, it faces localized threats from habitat loss and persecution. Conservation efforts focus on protecting nesting sites and educating the public about their ecological importance.

Look for their large size and wedge-shaped tail in flight
Listen for their distinctive deep, croaking call
Observe their acrobatic flight patterns and playful behavior
In North America, check high elevations and remote areas
In the UK, visit coastal cliffs and upland areas

Adult ravens have few natural predators, but eggs and nestlings may fall prey to large birds of prey, such as eagles and owls, as well as climbing mammals like raccoons and martens.

Ravens can mimic human speech and have been known to say words like 'hello' and 'goodbye'.
They have demonstrated the ability to plan for the future, a trait previously thought unique to humans and great apes.
In captivity, ravens have shown problem-solving skills on par with chimpanzees.

Already have an account?

0/500 characters (minimum 20 required)

Visual Identification

Appearance

Size

Colours

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Distribution

Elevation Range

Climate zones

Distribution Map

Distribution by Region

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Bird Attributes Explained

Attribute Categories:

Understanding the Ratings:

Agility

Strength

Adaptability

Aggressiveness

Endurance

Diet

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

Lifespan

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Population Data

Rarity Index

Birdwatching Tips

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Family:

Predators

Did You Know?

Was this bird profile helpful?

Community Experience

Community Ratings

Latest Community Reviews

No reviews yet

Community Reviews

Create Your Free Account Welcome Back!

Rate Common Raven

Similar Birds

American Crow

Rook

Carrion Crow

Jackdaw

References