There certainly is nothing common about
the Common Raven (Corvus corax). Extremely intelligent,
these birds can be found in virtually all types of terrain: snow,
deserts, forests, mountains and seaside. They are residents throughout
the Northern Hemisphere.
This is a glossy black bird, similar to
a crow but 
larger (23 inches). The wingspan
is four feet and the tail is wedge-shaped in flight. The bill,
heavy and slightly hooked, is covered at the base with bristles,
and the throat is covered with hackles (pointed feathers) giving
the Raven a more rugged appearance. Their call is more of a croak
than a caw.
Ravens remain paired for life and like
to nest in tall trees or cliffs, their nest a large structure
made of twigs and branches and lined with moss, grasses 
and fur. Three to seven spotted light-blue eggs
are laid from February to May. The incubation period is about
three weeks. Both parents tend the young. The young fledge in
about five or six weeks. There is one brood per year. The fledglings
will remain with their parents for approximately six months.
Ravens are omnivorous and eat a variety
of offerings, including carrion, rodents, eggs, nestlings, insects,
reptiles, berries, seeds and grains, including peanuts. When
conditions are good, they will congregate in large roosts, some
even numbering in the thousands.
The plush Raven is from Wild Republic and
is one of their Audubon Bird series. Our Gift
Shop carries some of the birds from this series. Click on
the link to take you there.
Order: Passeriformes | Family:
Corvidae | Species: Corvus corax
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to The Aviary Index
