Raven Facts & Worksheets

A raven is a passerine bird species that belongs to the genus Corvus and the family Corvidae. It has a large body, a thick neck, a long bill, strong feet, and shaggy throat feathers. The biggest raven species are the common raven (Corvus corax) and the thick-billed raven (Corvus crassirostris). Passerines like ravens are also known as perching birds. Ravens are typically black in color. They are the largest all-black birds in the world and the most widespread corvid species. When a raven is in flight, it soars.

See the fact file below for more information on Ravens, or you can download our 28-page Raven worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY

• The name “raven” was initially used to identify the common raven (Corvus corax), which has the widest distribution of all Corvus species and is found in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Now, it refers to any raven part of the genus Corvus.
• A group of ravens is called unkindness. It can also be called rave, treachery, and conspiracy. Flock, a generic collective name for birds, can also be used for ravens.

TAXONOMY

• Ravens belong to the Corvidae family, along with crows, rooks, jays, nutcrackers, treepies, jackdaws, and choughs.
• Only crows, ravens, and rooks belong to the genus Corvus because of their medium-sized to large builds. 

PERSONALITY AND BEHAVIOR

• Ravens are extremely intelligent birds that are difficult to trick.
• They can mimic human speech and other bird and animal sounds.
• Ravens are also playful creatures that can entertain themselves and make toys out of rocks or sticks.
• They can adapt to different environments, whether in the mountains or the tropics.
• Ravens are known to be monogamous and mate for life.
• Ravens are omnivorous, meaning they feed on both plant and animal matter.
• They are opportunistic feeders who feed on mice, worms, crickets, nesting birds, eggs, and fruits. They also readily feed on carrions.
• They are birds who will defend their large territories aggressively.
• The sound they usually make is a deep, harsh croak.

RAVEN SPECIES

• There are over 130 species that belong to the corvid family.
• Among those birds, there are ten species of ravens, two of which are extinct.
• The eight extant raven species include the common raven (Corvus corax), thick-billed ravens (Corvus crassirostris), white-necked ravens (Corvus albicollis), little ravens (Corvus mellori), Australian ravens (Corvus coronoides), Chihuahuan ravens (Corvus cryptoleucus), fan-tailed ravens (Corvus rhipidurus), brown-necked ravens (Corvus ruficollis), and forest ravens (Corvus tasmanicus).
• The Chatham raven (Corvus moriorum) and the New Zealand raven (Corvus antipodum) are already extinct. 

COMMON RAVEN

• The common raven is the most common species occurring in the Northern Hemisphere.
• There are eight recognized subspecies of common ravens, including the northern raven (C. c. principalis) and the western raven (C. c. sinuatus).
• In the wild, common ravens have a lifespan of more than 23 years.
• The average size of a mature common raven is 63 centimeters in length and 1.2 kilograms in mass, with a wingspan ranging from 45.5 to 46.5 inches.
• Common ravens can be found mainly in forests and woodlands, though they can survive in nearly any habitat.

THICK-BILLED RAVEN

• Just like the common raven, the thick-billed raven is one of the largest birds in the Corvid family.
• It has an average length of 64 centimeters.
• Its striking feature is its large, heavy, and curved bill, which is how its name came about.
• This species is found in mountainous and plateau regions in Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

WHITE-NECKED RAVEN

• White-necked ravens are native to eastern and southern Africa.
• They are generally smaller than the common raven.
• Compared to the common raven, the white-necked raven has a shorter tail and a deeper white-tipped bill.
• Its most striking feature is the large patch of white feathers on the nape of its neck.
• Its closest relative is the thick-billed raven.
• Its bird sounds, and calls are huskier than the common raven’s.

LITTLE RAVEN

• Native to southeastern Australia, the little raven is closely related to the Australian raven.
• It has a somewhat smaller beak and body than the Australian raven.
• Its eye color varies as it ages: from blue-gray eyes to brown eyes, then to white eyes.
• It is entirely black from head to toe.

AUSTRALIAN RAVEN

• The Australian raven is native to southern and northeastern Australia.
• Its species name derives from its similarity with the carrion crow described by Nicholas Aylward Vigors and Thomas Horsfield in 1827.
• At maturity, it is 46 to 53 centimeters long.
• It prefers to live in woodlands and transition zones.
• Its plumage, mouth, and beak are all-black, but its upper parts have a glossy purple, blue, or green sheen.

CHIHUAHUAN RAVEN

• The Chihuahuan raven is native to the United States and Mexico.
• It joins the ranks of the forest raven, little raven, fan-tailed raven, and Australian raven as one of the smaller species of ravens.
• It looks similar to the Australian raven but has a dark brown iris and a whiter feather base.
• It has a generally heavier bill than the common raven.

FAN-TAILED RAVEN

• The fan-tailed raven is native to Eastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
• It inhabits desert ecosystems or open dry country regions in the Middle East, North Africa, Arabia, and south to Kenya and Sudan.
• The feathers in this raven’s throat are typically shorter than in other raven species.
• As one of the smaller species, its length ranges from 47 to 51 centimeters.
• It is a very aerial bird that travels large distances as it hunts for food.

BROWN-NECKED RAVEN

• Found across North African deserts, the brown-necked raven is one of the larger raven species.
• It has a slightly smaller bill and more pointed wings than the common raven.
• A distinct brownish-black color covers its head and throat, while the rest of its plumage is black with a purple or blue glossy finish.
• The sound it makes has a higher pitch than the common raven’s.

FOREST RAVEN

• Also known as the Tasmanian raven, the forest raven is native to Tasmania and parts of southern Victoria in Australia.
• It is the only corvid species that has a permanent population in Tasmania.
• The forest raven’s black plumage has a gray base.
• It is the largest of corvids native to Australia, measuring 50 to 53 centimeters long.
• It is also an omnivorous species, but it feeds on animal material more than other smaller corvids.

RAVENS IN DIFFERENT CULTURES

• In Greek mythology, ravens were linked to Apollo, the God of prophecy, and believed to be the gods’ messengers of bad luck.
• In the Hebrew Bible, the raven was the first bird species ever mentioned and was released by Noah to test whether the great flood has receded.
• In Native American traditions, ravens are heroic in that they are able to shape reality; they could also be wreckers because they are hasty and greedy creatures.
• In Celtic traditions, the raven is a symbol of a warrior’s strength, as well as chaos and death.
• In Irish mythology, the raven is a symbol of Morrigan, a goddess of war and chaos who is good-natured to those she favors in conflicts.
• In Japanese mythology, a mythical bird called Yatagarasu is often depicted as a three-legged raven or crow.
• The Yatagarasu symbolizes divine intervention.
• In dreams, the raven can mean that the dreamer has anxiety or the desire to uncover a mystery.
• It may also come across as an omen of bad luck or an indication of curiosity.
• Legend has it that encountering a raven in real life is an omen of death. 
• This superstition stems from the fact that ravens feed on carcasses.

Raven Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Ravens across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Ravens. A Raven is a passerine bird species that belongs to the genus Corvus and the family Corvidae.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Ravens Facts
2. Raving About Ravens
3. Being Part-icular
4. Bird Bluffs
5. Bird Bingo
6. Scientific Name Crossword
7. Spot the Ravens
8. Corvid Family
9. Fun From Fables
10. My Favo-Raven
11. Raven Recap

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a raven and a crow?

Ravens and crows belong to the same family, Corvidae, and share many similarities. However, there are a few key differences between them. Ravens are larger in size, with a wingspan of up to 4 feet, while crows have a wingspan of about 3 feet. Ravens also have a heavier bill and a wedge-shaped tail, whereas crows have a lighter bill and a fan-shaped tail. Additionally, ravens tend to have a deeper, croaking call compared to the cawing sound of crows.

Where do ravens live?

Ravens are highly adaptable birds and can be found in various habitats across the Northern Hemisphere. They are native to Europe, Asia, and North America. Ravens typically inhabit forests, mountains, coastal regions, and even urban areas. They are known for their intelligence and resourcefulness, which allows them to thrive in diverse environments.

What do ravens eat?

Ravens are omnivorous birds with a diverse diet. They are opportunistic feeders and consume a wide range of food items. Their diet includes fruits, berries, grains, insects, small mammals, carrion (dead animals), eggs, and even garbage. Ravens are also known for their scavenging abilities and are often seen feeding on carcasses alongside vultures.

Do ravens mate for life?

Yes, ravens are known for forming long-term pair bonds and are considered monogamous. They often mate for life, staying together throughout the year and even raising their young as a team. Ravens engage in complex courtship displays, such as aerial acrobatics and vocalizations, to strengthen their bond and select a nesting site.

What is the significance of ravens in mythology and folklore?

Ravens have been revered and symbolically significant in various mythologies and folklore around the world. They are often associated with intelligence, mystery, and trickery. In Norse mythology, Odin, the chief god, had two ravens named Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory) that flew around the world to bring him information. In Native American cultures, ravens are considered clever tricksters and creators. They play important roles in stories and legends, representing both positive and negative aspects of life.

Link/cite this page

If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.

<a href="https://kidskonnect.com/animals/raven/">Raven Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com</a> - KidsKonnect, July 5, 2023

Link will appear as Raven Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, July 5, 2023