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Northern Raven

Northern Raven

Corvus corax

Identify the Northern Raven by sound or photo and log your sightings with Birdpass.

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The Northern Raven is a large, all-black corvid and the most widely distributed member of its family, ranging across much of the Northern Hemisphere. It is the heaviest songbird and is renowned for its intelligence and problem-solving ability. Young birds roam in flocks before forming lifelong pairs that defend territories, and some individuals live for decades.

Did you know?

  • A group of ravens is traditionally called an “unkindness” or a “conspiracy”.
  • Ravens are famous problem-solvers and have been observed using tools.

Voice

Song
Call
Flight call

About the species

Identification

Europe's largest corvid and the largest songbird, all black. It is told from Carrion and Hooded Crows especially in flight by its long, wedge-shaped tail; the large, heavy bill, shaggy throat and deep, croaking call also help. Adults are glossy black, while young birds' feathers can be duller and more worn.

Family

Corvidae

Size

Large (crow)

Colours

black, blue

About the habitat

Almost any landscape: sea cliffs and rocky coasts, forests, tundra, mountains and farmland, as well as human-influenced areas where food is available.

Diet

An extremely versatile omnivore: carrion, small mammals and birds, eggs, insects and other invertebrates, grain, berries and human food waste. It caches surplus food.

Behaviour

Usually seen singly or in pairs; soars and glides on thermals and performs acrobatic rolls and tumbles in display and play. It gives a deep, resonant “kronk” and many other calls. Bold and inquisitive around carcasses and people. It builds a large stick nest on a cliff, tower or tall tree and breeds early in spring.

Sources

Photo: Accipiter (R. Altenkamp, Berlin), CC BY-SA 3.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corvus corax ad berlin 090516.jpg

Sound: Carlo Fracasso, XC788419, CC0 1.0 https://xeno-canto.org/788419

Sound: Eric B, XC585938, CC BY 4.0 https://xeno-canto.org/585938

Sound: Marie-Lan Taÿ Pamart, XC496700, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://xeno-canto.org/496700

Text: Wikipedia (English) + FinBIF species descriptions, CC BY-SA 4.0; FinBIF: CC BY 4.0 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_raven

See also