Common Raven
Corvus corax
Conservation Status
Least ConcernAves · Passeriformes · Corvidae
About
The common raven or northern raven is a large all-black passerine bird. It is the most widely distributed of all corvids, found across the Northern Hemisphere. There are 11 accepted subspecies with little variation in appearance, although recent research has demonstrated significant genetic differences among populations from various regions. It is one of the two largest corvids, alongside the thick-billed raven, and is the heaviest passerine bird; at maturity, the common raven averages 63 centimetres in length and 1.47 kilograms in weight, up to 2 kg (4.4 lb) in the heaviest individuals. Although their typical lifespan is considerably shorter, common ravens can live more than 23 years in the wild. Young birds may travel in flocks but later mate for life, with each mated pair defending a territory.
Fun Fact
Common ravens can solve multi-step puzzles, plan for the future, and even barter with each other using tokens — cognitive abilities rivalling those of great apes in laboratory tests.
Quick Facts
Habitat
Mountains, forests, and tundra
Diet
Omnivore
Lifespan
10-15 years
Threats
- Deforestation
- Habitat Fragmentation