Common Raven
Common Raven Information
Length: 21 - 27"
Habitat: Open woodlands, rocky mountainous areas, rocky seacoasts. Requires rocky cliffs or tall trees for nesting.
In the West and far North: Canyons, deserts, and arctic tundra.
Diet: Carrion, garbage, small rodents, lizards, frogs, mollusks, insects, seeds, cultivated grains, wild fruits, nestlings and eggs of other birds.
Calls of the Common Raven
Another photo of Common RavenAdditional Information
Common RavenFacts about the habitat, diet, feeding behavior, and nesting of this bird. Includes photos, range map and sounds. (From Audubon Field Guide)
Common Raven in Flight
By Danrok [CC SA 3.0]
Common Raven
Identification Tips
- Entirely black plumage
- Larger than crows
- Wedge-shaped tail
- Relatively short legs
Similar Species
Crows are smaller, have squared-off tails and different calls.
(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)
Breeding Bird Survey Map,
2011-2015
(Image credit: USGS)
Range in New England
The Common Raven is found year round throughout most of New England.
The areas where they are less abundant are eastern Massachusetts as well as the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Their numbers have been steadily increasing in these areas in the past decade or so.
Christmas Bird Count Map
Historical CBC Map from USGS