The answer to this question is the common raven (Corvus corax), which is a large black bird belonging to the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ravens can be distinguished from other similar corvid species like crows by their larger size, curved beak, and wedge-shaped tail.
Quick Facts about Ravens
- Scientific name: Corvus corax
- Average length: 24 inches
- Average wingspan: 45-50 inches
- Average weight: 2.5 pounds
- Lifespan: 10-15 years in the wild, over 40 years in captivity
- Habitat: forests, deserts, coasts, mountains, rural and urban environments
- Diet: omnivorous – eats berries, insects, small animals, eggs, garbage etc.
- Distinctive features: large black bird, croaking call, wedge-shaped tail
- Fun fact: Ravens are one of the most intelligent bird species, exhibiting tool use and complex social behavior.
Physical Description
Ravens are completely black in color, with thick feathers covering their entire body. Their black plumage has a purple-blue iridescence that can be seen in bright sunlight. They have a heavy bill that is slightly curved and shaped like a wedge.
Ravens are the largest perching birds in the corvid family. Their average length ranges from 24-27 inches from head to tail, with a wingspan of 45-50 inches wide. They are distinctly larger than the typical common crow which has an average length of 17 inches.
Ravens weigh around 2.5 pounds on average. Their wings are long and broad, adapted for soaring over open areas in search of food. The raven’s tail is wedge-shaped, longer and more tapered than other corvids. In flight, the wedged tail and broad wings are key identifying features.
Range and Habitat
Ravens have one of the largest natural habitats of any bird species in the world. They can be found across wide regions of:
- North America
- Europe
- Asia
- North Africa
- The Middle East
- Australia
Within these broad regions, ravens live in very diverse habitats including:
- Coastal cliffs
- Mountaintops
- Boreal forests
- Oak woodlands
- Sagebrush deserts
- Tundra
- Rural farmlands
- Urban cities and suburbs
This incredible adaptability allows ravens to thrive across continents in many ecological zones. They tend to avoid only the most exposed habitats like treeless barren tundra.
Behavior and Lifestyle
Ravens are highly intelligent and social birds that exhibit complex behaviors. They generally live in mated pairs and small family groups of 3-5 birds. However some populations congregate in large flocks in areas with abundant food sources.
Ravens are playful, acrobatic fliers that perform aerial stunts like somersaults and barrel rolls. Their croaking vocalizations are used for communication and can be individually distinguished.
They cache food stores for later use and hide items like shiny bottle caps or pebbles just for amusement. Ravens engage in fascinating social activities like mimicry, toy play, cooperative hunting and gossip-like behavior.
Ravens create strong lifelong pair bonds reinforced by preening, bill touching and joint displays. They build large nests high up in trees, cliffs or utility poles using sticks, debris and lining materials like bark strips, moss, grass or animal fur.
Parents cooperate to incubate the eggs and feed the fledglings over a period of 30-45 days until the young are ready to fly off independently. The juveniles remain near the nest and join parents on foraging trips to learn survival skills.
Diet
Ravens are omnivores and extremely versatile foragers. They eat a diverse diet including:
- Insects
- Rodents and small mammals
- Reptiles and amphibians
- Birds and bird eggs
- Fish
- Carrion from carcasses
- Seeds and nuts
- Fruits and berries
- Human garbage and food waste
- Pet food
Ravens scavenge actively and use their powerful bills to pick into whatever food sources are readily available. They hunt alone and in pairs, adapting techniques like digging, tearing and catching live prey.
Being intelligent opportunists, ravens consume a wide variety of foods depending on the habitat and time of year. They cache excess food to eat later during times of scarcity.
Crows vs Ravens Comparison
Ravens are often confused with the more common American crow and carrion crow species found in Europe. Here’s a quick comparison table of raven vs crow features:
| Feature | Raven | Crow |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Very large – 24-27 inches long | Smaller – 17 inches long |
| Weight | Heavier – around 2.5 lbs | Lightweight – 1.5 lbs |
| Wingspan | 45-50 inches wide | 36-40 inches wide |
| Beak | Heavy and curved | Smaller and straight |
| Tail | Wedge-shaped | Fan-shaped |
| Flight | Soars frequently | Direct flight |
| Call | Deep, croaking | Harsher, cawing |
Significance of Ravens
Ravens hold special significance in human culture, mythology and literature due to their intelligence, adaptability and social nature. They appear in many stories, poems, logos and indigenous traditions.
In Greek mythology, ravens are associated with the sun god Apollo. In Norse mythology, the raven god Odin uses his two ravens Huginn and Muninn to fly around the world and bring back reports. Edgar Allen Poe’s famous narrative poem uses a raven as the mysterious central character.
Ravens have been symbols of prophecy, divination, war, death, and magic. They are a popular mascot and logo for sports teams. Many cultures saw the raven as a creator, trickster or keeper of secrets because of its ingenious behavior and shiny hidden “treasures”.
Recent studies on ravens provide scientific evidence about their high level cognition using tools, solving problems collaboratively, planning for the future, remembering individuals and mimicking others. Their smart adaptive behaviors contribute to the raven’s iconic image as the “brains” of the bird world.
Conservation Status
Ravens are widely distributed and thrive in diverse habitats, including near human settlements. Due to their large range and stable populations, they are classified as a species of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Their global population numbers are estimated between 13-45 million individuals.
Some major threats that can potentially impact raven populations in certain locations include:
- Habitat loss and deforestation
- Poisoning from pesticides or animal carcasses
- Accidental trapping
- Nest disturbance
- Declining food sources like landfills or commercial fisheries
However, ravens remain ubiquitous and well-adapted to survive across changing environments. Their high reproductive rate helps maintain stable populations worldwide. Most conservation efforts focus on protecting breeding and nesting sites.
Conclusion
In summary, the common raven (Corvus corax) perfectly matches the description of a large black bird in the genus Corvus. Ravens can be identified by their black plumage, large size, distinctive wedge-shaped tail, and deep croaking calls. These intelligent birds thrive in diverse habitats worldwide as omnivorous scavengers and foragers. Culturally, the raven holds great significance in mythology and literature as a symbol of cleverness and prophecy. Continued conservation of their nesting sites and habitats will help ensure ravens remain plentiful across their immense natural range.
