Australian Raven

The Australian Raven is a large, entirely glossy black bird, one of several very similar corvid species found across Australia that can be genuinely difficult to tell apart on plumage alone. It has a heavy black bill, black legs, and a pale, whitish iris in adults (juveniles have a dark eye that lightens with age).

A key distinguishing feature is the long, shaggy throat hackles that become raised and clearly visible when the bird calls, a feature more pronounced than in some of Australia's other corvid species. Its long, mournful, drawn-out call is often the easiest way to confirm identification in the field.

Key field marks

• Entirely glossy black plumage
• Heavy black bill
• Pale, whitish eye in adults
• Long, shaggy throat hackles, raised prominently during calling
• Distinctive long, wailing call with a descending, fading final note

Similar species

Australia has several very similar all-black corvids, including the Little Raven, Forest Raven, Torresian Crow, and Little Crow, whose ranges overlap in various regions. These species are extremely difficult to separate visually and are most reliably distinguished by voice, throat hackle length, and range, since the Australian Raven's call is longer and more mournful with a distinctive fading final note compared to the shorter calls of crow species.

Habitat

Australian Ravens occupy open woodland, farmland, coastal areas, and urban environments, including city parks, rubbish tips, and roadsides.

Range

The species occurs across much of southern and eastern Australia, including southwestern Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and southern Queensland.

Migration

Sedentary, with resident pairs defending territories year-round, though non-breeding immature birds may form loose, nomadic flocks.

Behavior

Australian Ravens are intelligent, opportunistic birds, often seen foraging alone, in pairs, or in loose groups, and are quick to exploit new food sources including roadkill and human refuse.

Voice

The call is a long, drawn-out, wailing "aaah-aaah-aaaaah," with a distinctively fading, descending final note, quite different from the shorter, harsher calls of other Australian corvid species.

Feeding

Diet is broadly omnivorous, including carrion, insects, small reptiles and mammals, eggs and nestlings of other birds, grain, and discarded food.

Nesting and breeding

Nests are large stick platforms built high in trees. Clutches typically contain four to five bluish-green eggs with darker markings, incubated by the female, with the male provisioning her and later helping feed the chicks.