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 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.