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The Common Raven (Corvus
corax) is a large black bird in the crow family, with iridescent
feathers. The bill is curved. At maturity, they are between 60
and 78cm (24 to 27 inches) in length, with a wingspan double that.
Apart from its greater size, the Raven differs from its cousins
the crows by having a larger and heavier beak, and a deeper and
more varied barking prrrukk call note. Other field points are
the shaggy throat feathers and a longer, wedge-shaped tail. Ravens
can thrive in varied climates. They range from the Arctic to the
deserts of North Africa, and to islands in the Pacific Ocean,
indeed this species has the largest range of any member of the
genus. Most Ravens prefer wooded areas (with large open land nearby)
or coastal regions and in mountains for their nesting sites and
feeding grounds.
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Mated Ravens
tend to nest together for life. The pair will build a nest on
cliff ledges or in trees. The nest is made of whatever materials
may have caught the builders' eyes. Ravens are known for their
love of shiny objects. The female will lay from three to seven
pale bluish-green, brown-blotched eggs. Both parents keep the
eggs warm, and take turns feeding the chicks. A Raven in Bryce
Canyon, Utah, USA.Ravens have a varied diet. They will eat anything
edible, including insects, berries, fruit, other birds' eggs,
carrion, and the garbage from human homes. They also kill small
birds and mammals, including young rabbits and rats. Experiments
have shown that Ravens are capable of using tools; an experiment,
where some desirable item lay on the bottom of a bottle, showed
that some ravens were able to form a hook to reach the item.
Above Images
From The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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