Common Raven

What is a common raven?

The common raven (Corvus corax) is a large, highly intelligent bird belonging to the Corvidae family. As the largest of the perching birds, it is characterized by its solid black, glossy plumage, thick neck, shaggy throat feathers, and heavy, curved beak.¹²

Common ravens are widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, thriving in diverse habitats ranging from tundra and boreal forests to deserts and mountains. While often confused with the American crow, ravens are larger, more solitary, and possess a distinct wedge-shaped tail in flight.¹²³

These birds are opportunistic omnivores and skilled scavengers known for their remarkable cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, tool use, and the capacity to plan for the future. They are monogamous, often mating for life, and are known for their complex vocalizations and spectacular aerial courtship displays.¹²

What does a common raven look like?

The common raven (Corvus corax) is a massive, solid black bird that is easily distinguished by several key physical features:

• Coloration: Their feathers, legs, beak, and eyes are entirely black. Their plumage is glossy and often displays a blue or purple iridescence in the light.²¹
• Size and Build: They are the largest of the perching birds, reaching lengths of 56 to 69 cm (22 to 27 inches) with a wingspan of over 1 meter (approximately 3.5 feet). They possess a thick neck, a heavy, long, sharp beak, and large feet.²¹
• Distinctive Features: A notable characteristic is their shaggier plumage, particularly around the throat.²¹
• In Flight: When observed in the air, common ravens are best identified by their wedge- or diamond-shaped tails, which differ from the fan-shaped tails of crows. They are also frequently seen soaring with outstretched wings, whereas crows tend to flap more often.⁴¹

Where does the common raven live?

The common raven (Corvus corax) has a wide distribution throughout the Northern Hemisphere, inhabiting North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. These birds are highly adaptable and thrive in a diverse array of environments, including tundra, boreal forests, deserts, mountains, steppes, and coastal areas with high cliffs.⁴¹

While they are occasionally found in large cities, they generally prefer less urbanized, wilder, or undisturbed areas. They are typically year-round residents within their chosen habitats and do not undertake long migrations, though populations in the far north may shift southward during the winter months. Common ravens build their nests in a variety of locations, such as cliffs, trees, and human-made structures like bridges, utility poles, and buildings.⁴¹

What does a common raven eat?

Common ravens are opportunistic omnivores and ground foragers that are not picky about their food sources, consuming whatever plants and animals are available in their environment.⁴

Their diet includes:

• Plant matter: They eat grains, berries, and fruit.⁴
• Animal prey: They hunt small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects, including arthropods.⁴
• Scavenged items: As scavengers, they consume carrion, the remains of animals killed by other predators, and animal dung. They also frequent human landfills to eat garbage.⁴

Common ravens are known to create food caches to hide resources from others, though they will also raid the hidden caches of other ravens. Additionally, they may occasionally steal and eat the eggs of other ravens.⁴