The Raven – Corvus corax

The Raven is a large all-black bird, a member of the crow family. It is large bird , the biggest member of the crow family.with an impressive wing span up to 1.4 metres and can weigh up to 4 kg. Look for its large bill and long wings. In flight, it shows a diamond-shaped tail. Most birds are residents, though some birds – especially non-breeders and young birds – wander from their breeding areas but don’t travel far.

It’s said that if the Tower of London loses its resident Ravens, the kingdom itself will fall.

The Raven is an intelligent bird , able to mimic human speech and they display human like problem solving with skills like crafting simple tools and complex communication.They also demonstrate long-term memory, making them some of the smartest birds. They also have a long life expectancy with wild birds living for around 16 years.

Ravens are mostly carrion eaters, but they will eat insects and hunt small live prey. That will also eat plant food includes cereal grains, acorns, buds, berries and fruit. They prey on small  invertebrates , amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and birds. They store surplus food items, especially those containing fat, and will learn to hide such food.

The Raven can mimic sounds from their environment, including human speech

Ravens usually mate for life and remain together in pairs throughout the year, defending their territories even in winter. They’re early breeders and build their nests from mid-February. The Ravens nest is a deep bowl made of large sticks and twigs and lined with a softer material, such as animal fur. The nest is usually positioned in a large tree. Females usually lay four to six eggs and incubation is about 18 to 21 days, by the female only. The young fledge at 35 to 49 days, and are fed by both parents. They stay with their parents for another six months after fledging.

Conservation status

Owing to its size raven has few natural predators in the UK . Listed as Green under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2015). Like most wildlife here in the UK the Raven is protected in law by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

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