Common Raven Identification

Adult

Large, thick-necked bird with a hefty bill and a shaggy neck.

Adult

Often pushes its head forward and fluffs up its throat feathers when calling.

Juvenile

Juveniles have dull brown breast and chest feathers.

The world's largest songbird—even larger than most Peregrine Falcons.

Adult

Often seen alone or in pairs, but many may gather in larger groups at a carcass or landfill.

Juvenile

Juveniles are browner than all-black adults.

Has elongated throat feathers, known as “hackles,” that are raised in threat and dominance displays.

Adult

Flies with heavy, slow wingbeats and interspersed glides. Note the wedge or diamond-shaped tail in flight.

Adult

Bill is long and heavy with feathers extending down bill.

Adult (with American Crow)

Larger than an American Crow with a wedge-shaped tail.

Adult

Eats almost anything it can find, including carrion. Note the shaggy feathers on the neck and hefty bill.

Juvenile

Nests on cliffs, in trees, and on structures such as power-line towers, telephone poles, billboards, and bridges. Found in North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

Adult

Large, entirely black bird. Occurs over most of the Northern Hemisphere in nearly any habitat.

Flock

Often forms communal nocturnal roosts and forages in groups especially at landfills or near a carcass.

Habitat

Occurs from desert floors to alpine summits.