Common Raven Size, Habitat, Diet and Behaviour

The Common Raven is a large, all-black passerine bird, the largest of the perching birds. Its wingspan is 45-51 inches (114-130 cm) and it can weigh between 24-57 ounces (680-1,620 grams). The raven's large, thick beak and wedge-shaped tail are distinctive features that set it apart from other corvids like crows.

A mature common raven ranges between 54 and 71 cm (21 and 28 inches) in length and has a wingspan of 116 to 153 cm (46 to 60 inches). The recorded weight ranges from 0.69 to 2.250 kg (1.52 to 4.96 lb), which makes the common raven one of the heaviest passerines.

The bill is large and slightly curved, with a culmen length of 5.7 to 8.5 cm (2.2 to 3.3 inches), easily one of the largest bills amongst passerines. It has a longish, strongly graduated tail, at 20 to 26.3 cm (7.9 to 10.4 in), mostly black iridescent plumage, and a dark brown iris. 

The throat feathers are elongated and pointed, and the bases of the neck feathers are pale brownish-grey. The legs and feet are good-sized, with a tarsus length of 6 to 7.2 cm (2.4 to 2.8 in). Juvenile plumage is similar but duller with a blue-grey iris. 

Overall, Ravens are massive birds with a thick neck and distinctive shaggy throat feathers. Like other corvids, ravens have strong, large feet and long bills. Most ravens are solid black and most closely resemble the common crow, but they soar in flight, more like hawks.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Common Raven is its ability to thrive in a wide range of habitats. These birds are highly adaptable and can be found across the Northern Hemisphere.

Their distribution includes North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. This extensive range is a testament to their versatility and resilience in various environments:

Forest and Mountains

In forested areas, ravens often make their nest in tall trees, taking advantage of the cover and elevation to protect their young from predators. Mountainous regions also provide suitable habitats, where ravens can nest on cliff ledges and rocky outcrops.

These elevated locations offer safety from ground-dwelling predators and a vantage point to spot potential food sources. 

Coastal Regions

Along coastlines, ravens are often seen scavenging for food. They utilize the abundance of marine resources, feeding on fish, shellfish, and other sea life that washes ashore. Coastal areas provide a rich and varied diet, allowing ravens to thrive in these environments.

Deserts and Tundras

Because of their versatility, they are capable of surviving in more extreme environments, such as deserts and tundras.

In deserts, they take advantage of their keen foraging skills to find food in sparse landscapes, while in tundras, they are well-adapted to cold climates, finding food even in harsh conditions.

Urban Environments

Interestingly, ravens have also adapted to urban settings. They are often found in cities and towns, where they take advantage of human-provided food sources.

Urban ravens are known to scavenge from garbage bins, dumpsters, and landfills, showcasing their incredible adaptability and problem-solving abilities.

The Common Raven is an omnivorous bird with a highly varied diet. This dietary flexibility is one of the key factors contributing to their widespread success. Likewise, Ravens are opportunistic feeders because they consume various food items depending on availability and season.

Animal Matter

They have a particular fondness for animal matter, and carrions form a significant part of their diet. They are often seen feeding on the remains of dead animals, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem by helping to clean up decomposing matter.

In addition to carrion, ravens hunt and consume small animals such as insects, rodents, amphibians, reptiles, and even other birds. Their powerful beaks and sharp talons make them effective hunters, capable of taking down prey or scavenging from carcasses left by other predators.

Plant Matter

While animal matter is a substantial part of their diet, ravens also consume a variety of plant-based foods. They eat grains, fruits, seeds, and berries, depending on what is seasonally available. This plant matter provides essential nutrients and supplements their diet when animal prey is scarce.

Human Food

In urban areas, ravens have learned to exploit human food sources. They are often seen scavenging in garbage bins, landfills, and around food establishments.

This behavior highlights their adaptability and intelligence in finding food in diverse environments. Ravens have even been observed stealing food from other animals and humans, demonstrating their resourcefulness and cunning nature.

Common ravens are known for their intelligence, problem-solving abilities, and diverse behavioral repertoire.

Social Structure

Common ravens typically travel in mated pairs or small family groups, although young birds may form larger flocks. They demonstrate strong pair bonds and devotion to their families. Relationships between ravens can be quarrelsome, but they also show considerable cooperation.

Foraging and Caching

Ravens are highly opportunistic omnivores, feeding on carrion, small animals, eggs, insects, grains, berries, and human food waste. They are skilled at finding and accessing large food sources, sometimes working together to do so. Ravens also cache surplus food, especially fatty items, for later consumption.

Vocalizations

Common ravens have an extensive vocal repertoire, using a variety of calls for different purposes such as alarm calls, comfort sounds, hunting calls, and territorial advertisement. They are also capable of mimicking sounds in their environment.

Physical Displays

In addition to vocalizations, ravens communicate through physical displays using their beaks, wings, and body postures. Behaviors like fighting, preening, and submissive postures are used in social interactions.

Intelligence and Problem-Solving

Ravens are renowned for their intelligence, with brain-to-body ratios comparable to great apes. They have demonstrated impressive problem-solving abilities, the capacity for tool use, and even the ability to recognize unfair treatment and hold grudges against individuals.

Play and Exploration

Juvenile ravens are particularly playful, engaging in behaviors like sliding down snowbanks, playing catch-me-if-you-can with other animals, and creating their toys. Even as adults, ravens retain a curiosity about novel objects in their environment.

Nest Defense

Common ravens are very protective of their nests and young, aggressively defending them against potential predators, including humans that get too close. They attack by flying at intruders and lunging with their large beaks.

Lastly, let's delve into the nesting and reproduction of the Common Raven, which reveal even more fascinating aspects of this remarkable bird's life.

Nest Placement

Common Ravens build their nests on cliffs, trees, and structures such as power-line towers, telephone poles, billboards, and bridges. Cliff nests are usually under a rock overhang, while tree nests tend to be in a crotch high in the tree but below the canopy and typically farther down than a crow's nest would be.

Nest Description

The nest is a deep bowl made of large sticks and twigs, bound with an inner layer of roots, mud, and bark and lined with a softer material, such as deer fur. Males bring some sticks to the nest, but most of the building is done by females over around 9 days.

Breeding and Egg-laying

Breeding pairs need their own territory before they start building a nest and reproducing, so they aggressively defend their area and its food sources.

In most places, females begin laying eggs in late February, usually laying between 3 and 7 pale bluish-green eggs with brown spots.

Incubation and Chick Rearing

Incubation is about 18 to 21 days and is made by the female only. Once hatched, the chicks are naked and with closed eyes. The male may stand or crouch over the young, sheltering but not actually brooding them.

Young fledge at 35 to 42 days and are fed by both parents. They stay with their parents for another six months after fledging.

Pair Bonding and Nesting Behavior

Juveniles begin to court at a very early age, but may not bond for another two or three years. Once paired, they tend to nest together for life, usually in the same location. Aerial acrobats, demonstration of intelligence, and the ability to provide food are key behaviors of courting.

Ravens are highly intelligent birds, which are part of the corvid family, for instance, crows, magpies, and jays. Some key facts about common ravens:

• Ravens can mimic human speech and other sounds very well, often better than parrots. They have a vast repertoire of vocalizations, with researchers identifying up to 116 different raven calls.
• They are excellent at solving problems and using tools. They have been seen making and using tools, planning for the future, trading, and even playing games like hide-and-seek.
• Ravens have excellent memories and can remember human faces, especially if associated with a positive or negative experience. They are known to hold grudges for up to a month.
• They are highly adaptable and thrive in different habitats, from urban areas to remote tundra. Their population has been steadily increasing in North America over the past decade.
• In many cultures, ravens have been associated with dark omens, death, and the supernatural. They appear in the mythologies of many ancient civilizations, often as messengers or trickster figures.
• Ravens engage in playful behaviors like sliding down snowy hills, playing keep-away with other animals, and making their toys to play with.
• They are highly social birds, often traveling in family groups, but they also form strong pair bonds and mate for life.
•  Ravens are opportunistic foragers and will eat almost anything, including plants, animals, carrion, and garbage. They are excellent scavengers that help clean up the environment.

In summary, common ravens are remarkably clever adaptable, and fascinating birds that have captured the imagination of people throughout history. 

Before summing up, it's essential to understand the differences between the Common Raven and the Black Crow, as these two birds are often confused due to their similar appearances. However, several key distinctions set them apart.

1. Size: The Common Raven is significantly larger than the Black Crow. Ravens are about 1/3 bigger, with a wingspan of 45-51 inches compared to 33-39 inches for crows.
2. Body Shape: Ravens have a thicker, more robust build with a larger, more curved beak, a shaggy throat, and a wedge-shaped tail. Crows have a sleeker, more streamlined appearance.
3. Flight Pattern: Ravens soar and glide more often, while crows flap their wings more frequently. Ravens also perform acrobatic maneuvers, like flying upside down.
4. Vocalizations: Ravens have a deeper, more guttural "cronk" call, compared to the higher-pitched "caw" of crows. Ravens also have a more extensive vocal repertoire.
5. Habitat: While both are found across a wide range, ravens tend to prefer more remote, mountainous areas, while crows are more common in urban and suburban environments.
6. Intelligence: Both are highly intelligent birds, but ravens are considered even more cognitively advanced, with the ability to use tools and engage in complex social behaviors.

Conclusion

The Common Raven is a remarkable bird that embodies a unique blend of physical prowess, dietary versatility, and exceptional intelligence. Their ability to thrive in a wide range of habitats, from remote wilderness areas to bustling urban centers, speaks to their adaptability and resilience.

Understanding the size, habitat, diet, and behavior of the Common Raven not only highlights their ecological importance but also deepens our appreciation for these complex and fascinating creatures.

Ravens have long held a place in human culture and mythology, often symbolizing mystery, intelligence, and adaptability. By studying and appreciating these birds, we can gain valuable insights into the natural world and the incredible diversity of life it holds.

Whether soaring through the skies or scavenging in city streets, the Common Raven continues to captivate and inspire, reminding us of the intricate and interconnected nature of our ecosystems.