General
Common Raven: Large raven with all-black body, large, stout bill, and wedge-shaped tail. Sexes are similar.
Range and Habitat
Common Raven: Resident from the Aleutians, northern Alaska and northern Canada south throughout western U.S. to Minnesota, Great Lakes, and northern New England; also found in the Appalachians to northwestern Georgia. Preferred habitats include coniferous forests and rocky coasts; also found in deserts and arid mountains in the west.
Breeding and Nesting
Common Raven: Three to seven dull green eggs spotted with brown are laid in a large nest made of sticks, lined with fur, moss, and lichens, and built on a cliff or in the top of a conifer. Incubation ranges from 18 to 21 days and is carried out by the female.
Foraging and Feeding
Common Raven: Eats carrion and associated insects such as maggots and beetles; also feeds on afterbirth of ewes and other large mammals, small mammals, reptiles, frogs, young or wounded birds, grains, acorns, and fruits. Mostly forages on the ground.
Readily Eats
Peanuts
Vocalization
Common Raven: Makes a deep, varied, guttural croaking "wonk-wonk."
Similar Species
Common Raven: Chihuahuan Raven is smaller with different calls and occupies habitats that are more arid. Crows are smaller with squared tails and different calls.