Common raven

Corvus corax · The common raven is a large all-black songbird, the most widely distributed corvid, found across the Northern Hemisphere.

Also called Northern raven.

Common raven
Photo: © Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
Common raven
Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0
Common raven
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassAves
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyCorvidae
GenusCorvus
SpeciesCorvus corax

Where it lives

From Arctic tundra to deserts across North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa.

Fun facts

  • If a raven's mate is lost, the partner copies the lost bird's calls to encourage it to come back.
  • Ravens have been seen dropping stones on predators that venture too close to their nests.
  • Young ravens slide down snowbanks apparently just for fun, and even play catch-me-if-you-can with wolves, otters and dogs.
  • Ravens are one of only a few wild animals that make their own toys, such as twigs they break off to play with socially.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).