Wildlifeof Bhutan
Northern Raven
Crows, Drongos, Orioles & Shrikes
Photo: (c) cello caruso-turiello, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Corvus corax
Basic stats
Diet
Omnivore: carrion, insects, cereal grains, berries, fruit, small animals, nesting birds and food waste
Habitat
Himalayan birds are generally larger with slightly larger bills
Range
The most widely distributed corvid, across the Northern Hemisphere
Size
Averages 63cm
Weight
Averages 1.47kg; up to 2kg
The common or northern raven is a large, all-black bird and the heaviest passerine, averaging 63cm in length and 1.47kg, and up to 2kg in the heaviest individuals. It is the most widely distributed of all crows, found across the Northern Hemisphere. Birds from colder regions such as the Himalayas and Greenland are generally larger with slightly larger bills. The bill is large and slightly curved (Wikipedia, general species account).
The raven is the national bird of Bhutan, and the kings of Bhutan wear the Raven Crown. It is revered as a spiritual figure in many cultures. Young birds may travel in flocks but later mate for life, each pair defending a territory. It is extremely versatile and opportunistic in its food, from carrion and insects to grain, berries and small animals. It has a distinctive, deep, resonant 'prruk-prruk-prruk' call, and 15 to 30 categories of call have been recorded.
Quick answers
- What does the Northern Raven eat?
- Omnivore: carrion, insects, cereal grains, berries, fruit, small animals, nesting birds and food waste
- What habitat does the Northern Raven live in?
- Himalayan birds are generally larger with slightly larger bills
- Where is the Northern Raven found?
- The most widely distributed corvid, across the Northern Hemisphere
- How big is the Northern Raven?
- Averages 63cm
- How much does the Northern Raven weigh?
- Averages 1.47kg; up to 2kg