Cool Critter Factoids
Latin Name: Corvus corax
Habitat: Coastal, forested and mountainous regions in
Alaska, and ranging throughout Europe, North Africa, and
North America
Classification: Aves (Birds)

Although the Corvus corax is often referred to as the "Common Raven," these birds are anything but ordinary. They are the largest members of the Corvidae family, which includes their cousins the crow and magpie.

Hello Blackbird!
Against a snowy white backdrop in Alaska, these birds are hard to miss. Researchers believe that ravens' jet-black feathers help them absorb light and heat in the high, cold elevations of Alaska. They have long black feathers on their bodies and wings, and shaggy, shorter feathers on their heads and necks. Even their bills and feet are black. They have wedge-shaped tails and dark eyes. Adult ravens grow to be around 2 feet long. Although they're slightly larger, ravens look a lot like crows. But you'd be able to pick one out by its longer bill and wing tips. Even if you can't find the raven, you'd soon be able to locate it by its distinct calls.

Think about it: Why is a white T-shirt cooler in the summer time than a dark t-shirt?

The Raven Remix
Ravens are not only the largest all-black birds, they are also the noisiest. Ravens are the largest existing songbirds. While crows stick mostly to their famous "caw caw" noises, ravens squawk over thirty different calls. Their most common call is a hoarse croaking that sounds like they are saying "kraaak." They sing different songs when worried about danger, or talking to each other. You might hear a raven in flight saying "kloo-klak" or knocking noises that sound like "tok tok tok." Ravens also make a variety of more musical noises that are less threatening. These mischievous birds are clever copycats. They can mimic many noises they hear, and may do so to tease or infuriate other animals. Ravens can even mimic human noises, and some tamed ravens can be taught to talk.

Think about it: Why do you think ravens are such sophisticated "talkers?"

Made you look!
Ravens are wily, resourceful eaters. They will eat berries and seeds and can be pesky thieves of farmers' grains. They can kill and eat smaller birds, rodents, and eggs. Some ravens have been known to carry away golf balls, probably because they believe they are eggs. But ravens are not foolish, they learn from their mistakes. They prefer to scavenge for food and let other animals do the dirty work of hunting the prey. Their most prized meals are dead fish, sheep, caribou, and moose.

Near human populations, ravens frequently pick over dumps and garbage heaps for morsels of carrion and leftovers. Ravens also cooperate with wolf packs to seek out prey. They circle high above and wait for the pack to kill a moose before sneaking a bite or two between the wolves. This definitely irritates the wolves, but ravens are too slick to be caught. Ravens often trick other animals out of their meals. They work together to distract larger animals. One raven might prance in front of a wolf or otter's sight, while the other one sneaks for a fish or morsel of caribou. Meanwhile, his raven buddy might swoop in and nip at the confused wolf, distracting him from his kill. Ravens also sometimes trick hawks into killing prey, before chasing them away to savor the meal.

Think about it: What does the term "brains over brawn" mean to a raven?

Hunting Buddies
Oddly enough, wolf packs have grown used to ravens' presence during the hunt. Researchers still wonder about this strange truce between wolf and raven. Do ravens help seek out prey for wolves? Do they scout the ground for moose and signal the wolves to move in for the kill? One theory suggests that ravens are the reason wolves learned to hunt in packs. While a single wolf can kill large prey like caribou or moose on its own, wolves generally like to hunt in the group. Perhaps this is because a pack of wolves can better defend a kill against the clever black scavengers from the sky.

Bernd Heinrich, one of the world's most experienced ornithologists (bird experts), studied raven habits and behaviors. He observed a pair of ravens that were picking over a carcass, eating happily. Heinrich then saw something strange, something he had never seen before in any other bird's behavior. One of the ravens started making a pile of frozen meat away from the dead animal. After the raven had made a sufficient pile, it gathered the bits of meat and flew away. Heinrich's observation supported two habits ravens sometimes do while feeding. While they might feast on their food until they are over-stuffed (they can pick the bones of a carcass clean in a matter of days), ravens also take food back to their nests to save for later. When Heinrich saw this particular raven separating his food into a pile, he wondered what the raven was thinking. Most birds pick at their food and swallow it bit by bit. Was this raven intelligent enough to know that stacking his meal into a neat pile would make it easier to carry away to the nest?

Think about it: Why do you think ravens get along with wolves?

Stop teasing...I'm telling Mom!
Well, you already know these pesky ravens can harass wolves, but what else do they do for fun? No kidding, many researchers believe that ravens have a sense of humor. They are extremely social birds with a sarcastic wit fit for a comedian. Ravens can imitate humans and other animals like rodents and house pets. On a hike through Denali National Park, you might hear a few ravens squawking away and wonder, Are they making fun of the way my boots squeak? In urban areas, ravens tease house pets worse than humans. They might sit on a light post and call to a puppy or parade in front of a house cat while their buddy nips at its tail. And quickly, before the embarrassed animal can pounce, they jump into sky after two or three short hops and perch far away to gloat about their victory.

Ravens tumble and play amongst themselves as well. In the winter, ravens take turns sliding on snow banks and diving to bathe in the snow. Ravens' high-flying acrobatics become especially theatric during mating season. They close their wings and dive fearlessly toward the earth before curling up toward the sky again. They perform somersaults and "barrel rolls" to impress their friends and mates . . . or maybe just for the sheer fun of it. When two ravens decide that they like each other, they might perch up in trees and rub their beaks together like bird "kisses."

Think about it: What does the raven's sense of humor tell you about its brain?

I now pronounce, Mr. and Mrs. Raven . . .
Ravens mate for life, which can sometimes last for more than thirty years. They chose their partners carefully, because the male raven must be a clever scavenger to provide for his mate and young. When young ravens are born, they stay with their parents for about a year until they learn social behavior and sneaky hunting habits from their parents. Sometimes a third raven helps out a young couple with gathering food and showing the young juveniles the ropes. Ravens build their nests out of mud, twigs, fur, and feathers, usually on cliffs or in trees. Sometimes they use tall manmade perches on roofs and towers for homes. They usually collect in clans, but will fly for long distances in pairs or alone to find food.

Think about it: If a raven mates for life, what does that tell you about his family?

Trickster Traditions
Ravens are important symbols throughout human history. They appear in thousands of areas around the world and have been characters of tales and religious beliefs, though they play different parts in many cultures. In many Native American cultures, the raven is known as the Trickster. According to most Native Alaskan traditions, the raven was the creator of life on the world. He formed the trees and the earth, and taught the first humans to hunt. The Trickster raven stole the Box of Daylight and placed the sun and the moon in the sky.

Ravens appear in Jewish, Hindu, Islamic, Buddhist, Christian, and pagan traditions. Though ravens might appear as either good or evil creatures depending on the tradition, most cultures agreed upon one characteristic of ravens that even amateur nature lovers can observe. These birds are intelligent creatures whose lives and habits are clever and entertaining. Raven tricksters have become solid contributors to the unique wildlife and ecosystem of Alaska.

Think about it: Check out some different raven traditions. How are they the same? How are they different?