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Common Raven
last update: Feb 24, 2009 11:10 PM
Latin name: Corvus corax
Longevity: 10 to 15 years in the wild, although lifespans of up to 40 years have been recorded in captivity
Population: 16 million individuals
Cites classified: Least Concern
Where found: the Common Raven is one of the most widespread species in the world, found across North America and Eurasia, southward into Central America and northern Africa. Perhaps the smartest of all birds, the raven can survive in Arctic, temperate, and desert environments.
Wingspan: 116-118 cm
Length: 56-69 cm
Weight: 0.69 to 1.63 kg
Mating/Breeding: Young birds may travel in flocks, but later mate for life, with each mated pair defending a territory. Juveniles begin to court at a very early age, but may not bond for another two or three years. Aerial acrobatics and demonstrations of intelligence, and ability to provide food are key behaviors of courting. Once paired, they tend to nest together for life, usually in the same location. Sexual infidelity has been observed in Common Ravens, by males visiting a female's nest when her mate is away.
Eggs: Females lay between three to seven pale bluish-green, brown-blotched eggs.
Hibernation: same winter range as summer range
Aggressive?: Breeding pairs of Common Ravens hold territories and try to exclude all other ravens throughout the year. In winter, young ravens finding a carcass will call other ravens to the prize. They apparently do this to overwhelm the local territory owners by force of numbers to gain access to the food.
Hunting Habits: follows predators to scavenge on leftovers and patrols roadways for carrion.
Feed on: carrion, insects and food waste, in addition to cereal grains, berries, fruit and small animals.
Predators: Common ravens are rarely observed being preyed on, even as eggs or young in the nest. Predators on nestlings may include large hawks and eagles, other ravens, owls, and martens. Golden eagles, great horned owls, and coyotes have been observed attacking nests and fledglings. Adults are usually successful at defending their young and will vigorously chase predators away. Adults are wary of approaching novel kinds of carrion and new situations and will often only approach after the presence of blue jays and American crows makes it clear that no danger is near.
Colour/Looks: Birds from colder regions such as the Himalayas and Greenland are generally larger with slightly larger bills, while those from warmer regions are smaller with proportionally smaller bills. The bill is large and slightly curved. It has a longish, strongly graduated tail, mostly black iridescent plumage, and a dark brown iris. The throat feathers are elongated and pointed and the bases of the neck feathers are pale brownish-grey. Juvenile plumage is similar but duller with a blue-grey iris.
Interesting Trivia:
- The Common Raven is an acrobatic flier. It frequently is seen to make rolls and somersaults in the air. It has even been observed flying upside down for as far as one kilometer (0.62 mi).
- Common ravens are known for their intelligence and complex social dynamics. They seem capable of learning innovative solutions to newly encountered problems.
- Common ravens are very important in native cultures throughout their range. Raven is a common and important mythic creature in western Native American traditions.
