Crows and jays (Corvidae)
Common Raven
Corvus corax. Omnivorous — carrion, small animals, eggs, grain and fruit.
Crows and jays (Corvidae)Common RavenCorvus corax
- Scientific name
- Corvus corax
- Length
- 22.1–27.2 in
- Weight
- 24.3–57.3 oz
- Nest
- Large stick platform on cliffs, pines or structures
- Entrance hole
- Does not use nest boxes
- Clutch
- 3–7 eggs
- Incubation
- 20–25 days
- Broods
- 1 per season
Identification
- All black with a heavy, arched bill
- Shaggy throat feathers
- Wedge-shaped tail in flight
Voice
Deep, croaking 'krrruk' and a wide range of knocks and gurgles.
Diet and feeding
Omnivorous — carrion, small animals, eggs, grain and fruit.
Common Ravens by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Alberta | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Arizona | Year-round resident | January–May |
| British Columbia | Year-round resident | March–May |
| California | Year-round resident | January–May |
| Colorado | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Idaho | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Maine | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Manitoba | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Montana | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Nevada | Year-round resident | February–May |
| New Brunswick | Year-round resident | March–May |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | March–May |
| New Mexico | Year-round resident | February–May |
| New York | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Year-round resident | March–May |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | February–May |
| North Dakota | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Northwest Territories | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Nova Scotia | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Nunavut | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Prince Edward Island | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Saskatchewan | Year-round resident | March–May |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Utah | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Washington | Year-round resident | February–May |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | February–May |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Wyoming | Year-round resident | March–May |
| Yukon | Year-round resident | March–May |
Frequently asked
What do ravens eat?
Omnivorous — carrion, small animals, eggs, grain and fruit. At feeders: peanuts in the shell, suet scraps.
How big is a Common Raven?
22.1–27.2 in long and 24.3–57.3 oz.
Do ravens use birdhouses?
No. Large stick platform on cliffs, pines or structures.
Sources
- Common Raven — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Common Raven life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Common Raven — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.