Common Raven
Corvus corax
What it is
The common raven (Corvus corax), also known as the northern raven, is a large all-black passerine bird. Found across the Northern Hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids. There are at least eight subspecies with little variation in appearance, although recent research has demonstrated significant genetic differences among populations from various regions. It is one of the two largest corvids, alongside the thick-billed raven, and is possibly the heaviest passerine bird; at maturity,...
Where and when to find it
- Habitat
- Common Ravens live across a wide variety of habitats in the United States, especially in the western states and mountainous areas. They like open country, forests, and cliffs.
- How to find it
- Look for large black birds soaring or perched high up. Listen for their deep, throaty calls, which are different from a crow's caw.
- Best time of day
- All year round, during the day.
How it lives
- What it eats
- Anything! Meat, fruit, grains, insects, and eggs.
- What eats it
- Large raptors (like eagles), owls, and some mammals sometimes eat eggs or young.
Worth knowing
- Ravens are incredible problem-solvers and can even mimic sounds.
- They often work together to find food.
- They can live for a very long time, sometimes over 20 years in the wild.
- Some scientists think ravens are as smart as chimpanzees!
- They are known for their playful behavior, like dropping sticks and catching them.
- Ravens are often seen alone or in pairs, while crows usually gather in larger groups.
Why it matters
Ravens are important scavengers, cleaning up dead animals. They also help spread seeds by eating fruits.