General

Common Raven: Large corvid with all-black body, large, stout bill, shaggy throat feathers, and wedge-shaped tail obvious in flight. Eats invertebrates, vertebrates, insects, carrion, refuse, eggs and young of other birds, and rodents. Strong flight, alternates several deep wingbeats with long glides on flat wings. Soars on thermals and updrafts similar to a raptor.

Range and Habitat

Common Raven: Resident from the Aleutians, northern Alaska and northern Canada south throughout western U.S. to Minnesota, Great Lakes, and 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.

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.