Corvus corax
Common Raven
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.
Length
54cm to 67cm
Wingspan
115cm to 150cm
Weight
689g to 1.625kg
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black
Secondary Colour
Brown
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
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.
Sea level to 5,000 meters
Temperate, Subarctic, Arctic
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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 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.
years
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.
Northern Raven
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website: BirdLife International. 2017. Corvus corax (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22706068A113271893.
View sourcewebsite: BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Common Raven Corvus corax.
View sourcereport, 2004: Rich et al.