Common Raven

The Common Raven is one of the largest and most intelligent passerine birds in the world, entirely glossy black with a heavy, powerful bill and shaggy throat feathers called hackles. In flight it shows a distinctive wedge- or diamond-shaped tail, differing from the fan-shaped tail of crows, and often soars on flat or slightly raised wings, a behavior rare among crow relatives.

Ravens have an extraordinarily wide global range, occurring across much of the Northern Hemisphere, and hold deep cultural significance in the mythology of many human societies, from Norse legend to numerous Indigenous North American traditions, in part due to their perceived cleverness and boldness.

Key Field Marks

• Large size, notably bigger than American Crow, roughly the size of a Red-tailed Hawk
• Heavy, deep-based bill, often with a slight curve
• Wedge- or diamond-shaped tail visible in flight
• Shaggy throat feathers (hackles), especially noticeable when calling
• Soars frequently on flat wings, unlike crows

Similar Species

• American Crow is smaller with a slimmer bill, a fan-shaped tail, and a higher-pitched caw rather than a deep croak, and rarely soars.
• Chihuahuan Raven is smaller than the Common Raven with a shorter bill and restricted to arid Southwest grasslands and deserts.

Habitat

Common Ravens occupy an exceptionally broad range of habitats, including mountains, deserts, coastal cliffs, boreal and temperate forests, tundra, and increasingly cities and suburbs.

Range

This species has one of the largest natural ranges of any bird, found across most of North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa; in North America it is most common in the West, boreal Canada, and Alaska.

Migration

Most populations are non-migratory residents, though some northern and high-elevation birds move to lower elevations or latitudes in severe winters.

Behavior

Ravens are exceptionally intelligent, displaying tool use, planning, and complex problem-solving comparable to great apes in some studies. They form long-term pair bonds and defend territories, while non-breeding young often gather in large, mobile flocks.

Voice

The classic call is a deep, resonant croak, but ravens have an enormous vocal repertoire including knocks, gurgles, and even mimicry of other sounds.

Feeding

Ravens are opportunistic omnivores and skilled scavengers, feeding on carrion, small mammals, insects, eggs and nestlings of other birds, seeds, and fruit, and are known to work cooperatively to access food.

Nesting

Pairs build a large stick nest lined with softer material, typically on a cliff ledge, tall tree, or human structure; the female incubates 3-7 pale blue-green, brown-blotched eggs while the male provides food.