[order] PASSERIFORMES | [family] Corvidae | [latin] Corvus corax | [UK] Raven | [FR] Grand Corbeau | [DE] Kolkrabe | [ES] Cuervo Comun | [NL] Raaf
Subspecies
| Genus | Species | subspecies | Breeding Range | Breeding Range 2 | Non Breeding Range |
Physical charateristics
Common Ravens are large, black birds, with strong, heavy bills. They look rather like American Crows but are much larger and can weigh more than four times as much. When size isn’t enough to distinguish the two species, look for the heavier bill and the shaggy feathers around the raven’s throat. In flight, the raven shows a wedge-shaped tail from below, unlike the crow, which has a slightly rounded tail. Its wings are longer and less rounded, reminding one of a raptor. Ravens also typically soar and glide, while crows tend to flap continuously and fly in a direct path. Ravens are usually seen in pairs or small family groups rather than in the large flocks that crows often form.
Common Ravens are most often found in pairs or in small groups, but they roost together in large groups in winter and large congregations may form at garbage dumps and other food bonanzas. Juveniles and non-breeders sometimes forage in small groups. They are very intelligent and sometimes cooperate to flush out prey when hunting. Ravens usually feed on the ground but will also feed in trees, often raiding other birds’ nests. One of their many calls is a deep, distinctive croaking, often given in flight.
Common Ravens are most often found in pairs or in small groups, but they roost together in large groups in winter and large congregations may form at garbage dumps and other food bonanzas. Juveniles and non-breeders sometimes forage in small groups. They are very intelligent and sometimes cooperate to flush out prey when hunting. Ravens usually feed on the ground but will also feed in trees, often raiding other birds’ nests. One of their many calls is a deep, distinctive croaking, often given in flight.
Listen to the sound of Raven
[audio:http://www.aviflevoland.nl/sounddb/R/Raven.mp3]
Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto
| wingspan min.: | 115 | cm | wingspan max.: | 130 | cm |
| size min.: | 54 | cm | size max.: | 67 | cm |
| incubation min.: | 20 | days | incubation max.: | 21 | days |
| fledging min.: | 38 | days | fledging max.: | 21 | days |
| broods: | 1 | eggs min.: | 3 | ||
| eggs max.: | 6 |
Range
North America, Middle America, Eurasia : widespread
Habitat
Common Ravens can be found in a wide variety of habitats. They inhabit dense forests, open sagebrush country, and alpine parklands. In Washington, they avoid cities but are common in cities in other areas. They prefer heavily contoured landscapes, perhaps because this type of habitat produces thermals that ravens use on their long-distance foraging trips.
Reproduction
Common Ravens usually do not breed until they are 2-4 years old. They are monogamous and form long-term pair bonds. Pairs typically stay together year round, roosting near one another at night. Historically, they used cliffs and trees as nesting sites. Now power poles, bridges, and other man-made structures are commonly used. Nest sites are often re-used for many years. The nest usually consists of a base of large sticks woven into a bulky basket with a cup of smaller branches and twigs inside. The cup is then lined with mud, fur, bark, grass, and paper. The female (possibly with help from the male) incubates 3-7 (usually 5 or 6) eggs for about 20 days. The male feeds the female on the nest and helps her brood the young when they first hatch. The young leave the nest after 4-7 weeks. At this time, they can fly short distances and usually stay close to the nest for another week or so.
Feeding habits
Common Ravens are omnivores, but most of their diet is meat. At times they eat arthropods, seeds, and grain, but they are more carnivorous than crows. They scavenge for carrion and garbage and also prey on rodents and on the eggs and nestlings of other birds.
Conservation
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be increasing, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is extremely large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Corvus corax is a widespread resident across most of Europe, which accounts for less
than half of its global range. Its European breeding population is large (>450,000
pairs), and underwent a large increase between 1970-1990. The vast majority of
European populations were stable or increased during 1990-2000, and the species
underwent a slight increase overall.
Most western populations of the Common Raven have been stable for many years, but the population in the eastern portion of their range suffered a significant decline in the early 20th Century. Habitat loss, the increase of crows, and human harassment all contributed to this decline. During the second half of the 20th Century, populations rebounded, and Common Ravens are returning to much of their former range. Common Ravens avoid urban areas, perhaps because of earlier harassment by humans, competition with increasingly abundant crows, and lack of appropriate nest sites.
Corvus corax is a widespread resident across most of Europe, which accounts for less
than half of its global range. Its European breeding population is large (>450,000
pairs), and underwent a large increase between 1970-1990. The vast majority of
European populations were stable or increased during 1990-2000, and the species
underwent a slight increase overall.
Most western populations of the Common Raven have been stable for many years, but the population in the eastern portion of their range suffered a significant decline in the early 20th Century. Habitat loss, the increase of crows, and human harassment all contributed to this decline. During the second half of the 20th Century, populations rebounded, and Common Ravens are returning to much of their former range. Common Ravens avoid urban areas, perhaps because of earlier harassment by humans, competition with increasingly abundant crows, and lack of appropriate nest sites.
Migration
Winters sporadically to lower elevations and to areas just s of breeding range. (Sibley Charles G. 1996). Only a little part of population is migratory, in high elevations and far N.
Distribution map
