Short Description
The common raven is the largest European corvid (raven) species. It is identifiable from its powerful black bill and its monochrome black plumage. Depending on the direction of the light, it can have a green or blue metallic sheen. The wedge-shaped tail and the shaggy feathers around the throat are also characteristic. Its song is easily recognised.
Features
Common raven
Corvus corax
strong black bill
Rufe
Tembrock, CC BY-SA 3.0
Similar species
Carrion crow
Corvus corone
Rook
Corvus frugilegus
In the city
Common ravens increasingly live in cities and are highly adaptable.
Fun Facts
The common raven is the largest European corvid (raven) species.
They are intelligent and able to learn.
Their breeding season runs from February to April. They can be seen in Germany all year round.
ame as other corvids, common ravens were considered birds of ill omen and evil; in consequence, they were persecuted in many parts of central Europe to the middle of the 20th century. However, their population numbers have slowly recovered.
They are omnivores with a preference for meat. They either kill their own prey or feed on carrion.
They are said to inflict fatal injuries on healthy calves and lambs. However, common ravens seldom or never attack healthy animals.
- Endangerment level Germany: not endangered
Sources
Habitus , Peter Samow, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:IMG_4323_-1_-_Flickr_-_Peter.Samow.jpg
Habitus , Jeff Hitchcock, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corvus_corax_-Tower_of_London,_London,_England-8a.jpg
im Flug, Juan Lacruz, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corvus_corax.jpg
Witt, K. & Steiof, K. (2013) Rote Liste und Liste der Brutvögel von Berlin, 3. version, 15.11.2013. : Berliner Ornithologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft e.V. (eds.) Berliner Ornithologischer Bericht, volume 23, Berlin: Berliner Ornithologische Arbeitsgemeinschaft e.V., 1-23.
Page „Kolkrabe“. : Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Date of last revision: 31.01.2016, 07:42 UTC. URL: https://de.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kolkrabe&oldid=150872586 (Accessed: 12.02.2016).
NABU - Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V. (n.d.) Kolkrabe: Götterbote und Galgenvogel, URL: https://www.nabu.de/tiere-und-pflanzen/voegel/vogelkunde/vogelportraets/02875.html (Accessed: 07.04.2017).
NABU Landesverband Schleswig-Holstein (n.d.) Der Kolkrabe, URL: https://schleswig-holstein.nabu.de/tiere-und-pflanzen/voegel/rabenvoegel/arten-und-biologie/03894.html (Accessed: 07.04.2017).
Brodowski, G. (2007-2021) Der Kolkrabe, URL: http://www.brodowski-fotografie.de/beobachtungen/kolkrabe.html (Accessed: 11.02.2021).