Things you need to know about RAVENS!

Out of all the crow family, the common raven is probably the most well known. They are the largest member with a wingspan of 120 to 150cm and weighing from 800 to 1500grams. That’s 4 to 5 feet and 1.7 to 3.3lbs. They are glossy black over their entire bodies and have large, powerful black beaks. They are extremely acrobatic in the air and when flying they display a diamond shape tail. One bird was even recorded travelling for more than half a mile whilst flying upside down!
Ravens are very intelligent and just like the other corvids I have made videos about, this means that they are very adaptable in where they can live and what they can eat. They are found all across the northern hemisphere including most of the north American continent, Europe, Russia and Asia. In the UK their range extends from the north of Scotland to the south of England, all the way to the west coast of wales and across northern Ireland. They are also present in the east of England but only in small, albeit gradually increasing, numbers. Ravens can eek out a living in almost all habitats from dense forests to open moorland, upland or lowland areas and pretty much anything in-between.
A ravens diet is extensive and varies throughout the year. They will happily feed on berries, fruits, grains, crops and carrion, but they also prey upon reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, fish, and other species of birds, including their chicks and eggs.
Ravens do not start nesting until they are 2 to 4 years old but can form non-breeding relationships from their first year onwards. Once a pair is formed they will claim a territory and defend it from all other ravens. The size of this territory depends on how much food is available, where resources are scarce territories are much larger. The pair will then create a large bowl shaped nest of sticks, twigs and roots, bound together with mud and bark and then lined with softer material such as feathers, wool and fur. From February onwards, depending on the weather, each female will lay between 3 and seven brown blotched blue coloured eggs. These measure just under 5cm or 2 inches in length. The female incubates the eggs alone, whilst the male stands guard for 18 to 21 days. At first, the chicks are pink and have their eyes closed. They are fed in the nest for around 40 days before they are ready to fledge but the parental duties do not end there. The young birds may stay with their parents for upto 6 months after fledging. After this the young birds often form flocks with other unpaired youngsters and roam widely in search of resources before finally settling once they find mates and territories of their own.
Ravens communicate with each other through a series of natural vocalisations but they also have been found to gesture to one another. They sometimes mimic wolves, foxes or vultures in order to get them to come to a dead animal, if they themselves unable to get to the meat inside. In captivity they also become great mimics of people, copying entire sentences and mechanical noises.
Ravens are amazingly intelligent and have been shown to have abilities to problem solve that are almost unparalleled in the animal kingdom.
A flock of common ravens is known as an unkindness and they have been associated with a lot of mythology and religions. In the wild ravens have an average lifespan of ten to 15 years with one ringed wild bird surviving to 22 years and 7 months of age. In captivity they often survive for more than 40 years.
Some of the footage and images in this video were obtained using creative commons licences. The originals and their licence details can be found at:
• Common raven (Corvus c...
• Common Ravens at a fee...
• Common Raven, On The G...
• Raven Call - Yosemite ...
• Video
• Raven Nest
• Raven vocalizations
• Common Raven eating a ...
• Common Raven #Crow #B...
• Kolkrabe - Corvus cora...
• Raaf (Corvus corax, Co...
• Grand Corbeau (Corvus ...
• Common Raven perching ...
• Ronk (Corvus corax; Co...
• Common Raven perching ...
• Ravens & Alcatraz in S...
• Corvus corax - Krkavec...
• Grand Corbeau (Corvus ...
• Raven at Tower of London
• Raven1 1
• Grand Corbeau (Corvus ...
• Two Ravens in Flight ....
• Aerobatic Bird In The ...
• Open mouth training Raven
• Raven Talk
• Surfing Raven
www.flickr.com/photos/bryanto...
Thumbnail: www.geograph.org.uk/photo/670...
#raven #birdwatching #britishwildlife

[@adrianlingard1910]

I think content like this should be put into the school curriculum, such great factual information and joy in our surroundings!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

I agree. I think in some places they are trialling a natural history gsce so maybe it'll become mainstream.

[@Lo-tn1vz]

Using this video today in our homeschool 😊

[@pauladee1272]

The public schools are still only about training worker to make profits

[@LuvableAF]

I been slowly befriending a juvenile raven , and today after I fed him chicken, he made loud purring sounds until another showed up, and silently hid in the lower limbs of the tree the first was in. I fed the second, and the silent one has been sitting facing me for a while now..,like a fur covered football with a tiny face…I’ll keep feeding them until we form a relationship only the local paper would understand😂😂🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛

[@Whiteshell204]

*I was extremely lucky to befriend a wild Raven at my off-grid cabin, it took a very long time but I was able to hand feed...Edgar...he became part of the family, I would have to leave and drive 1hr down a logging road to travel to work very early. So he would wake my parents up for breakfast by tap-tap-tapping at my Patio door for treats..it was so damn cool. He has disappeared recently and I often wonder where you are bud...I don' think I'll ever have the same luck with another Raven again...I've tried. **-cool vid on page-*

[@peaceprayers]

Your patience paid off for both of you

[@jamesclark9347]

I raised a Raven. She is Free Flying, No restraints or cage. I have uploaded videos on this KZbin channel if you are interested? EDIT: Also God commanded Ravens to feed Elijah in the wilderness. Also the Raven was the first bird released from the Ark.

[@janclark1894]

I love Crow's and Ravens. Thanks for the video.

[@michaelclark4043]

This is one bird that definitely deserves RAVE REVIEWS with bird lovers everywhere! ❤😂

[@D.H.1082]

This is a really great video. Low budget, yet highly informational. And you happen to have a really great teaching voice, in my opinion.

[@ThePollaton]

Love love love my crows. Whatever variety. So underestimated.

[@benhall4141]

I love Ravens.

[@JayWil771]

Ravens are my favourite birds and as a driver I get to see them quite a bit. They’re starting to move into London now, I know of two places where pairs are breeding however North Wessex and Buckinghamshire are the best places for me to view them. Size wise it literally depends on where you see them. I saw a massive one over Thetford forest in January 2021 and four smaller sized birds in Enfield in Middlesex. I’ve seen birds in Bedfordshire that are newly the size of Kites but wherever I’m privileged to see them they are just an amazing sight

[@Soya22181]

I love these birds

[@tonimacaroni1735]

We have a large crow colony we're we live, I feed them every day and they know me and my whistle so well, I simply adore them! This is a lovely informative video I am equally in love with Ravens, I have visited the ones in the tower many times and seen them in the wild in Pembrokeshire. Also have decided to name our black weatherboarded barn conversion 'Raven Barn'. Thank you for this great video!🙏

[@williamrobinson7435]

Ravens are brilliant. I'd share my Cornish pastie with a raven ANY day. 👍KAARK! 👍

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Haha, fair enough!

[@TheDrogan111]

There's a Raven I've been feeding while on my break at work. It's becoming more friendly and sometimes I find it waiting for me. I thought I was a crow. Thanks for the information

[@CookiesTheDove]

Aweome ! Ravens are great

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@glddraco666]

sweet creatures

[@bruceboatwright7488]

What handsome birds!

[@dexocube]

Ravens are cool! Don't get many round my way though.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Yeah, not too many near here either but their numbers are increasing slowly in the east of England.

[@JanWestern]

I passionately adore Ravens and luckily live close to Portland Bill UK. where there is a lively colony of Ravens ❤❤❤

[@celestenova777]

Really enjoyed watching these very clever birds and what beautiful coloured speckled eggs they lay. Thanks for your work.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@cherylswinney5859]

I love them, all the crow families. I have several species visit me regularly through the day. Respect our wildlife around us. it will respect you ❤❤

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Brilliant, I am glad you found this video then.

[@louisecockell3101]

I adore corvids they’re incredible

[@williamniallmilesmcmullan1917]

You always have great content Liam! And the crow family is one of my favourites.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you! I'm running pretty low on UK corvids now, but rooks are on my list for a future video. Perhaps I'll do hooded crows at some point, although that would be very similar to my carrion crow video. Cheers

[@hunterG60k]

@@AShotOfWildlife Happy to hear about all corvids, even with overlap!

[@williamniallmilesmcmullan1917]

@@AShotOfWildlife Where I live, in Colombia, we just have colourful jays. In the tropics there is selection pressure for specialisation rather than generalisation, so I thought they wouldn't be as intelligent and entertaining, but they are actually just the very same - moving in organised groups, always hatching some mad plan to get food.

[@eileenpritchard9154]

@@AShotOfWildlife I have learnt so much from your videos, THANKYOU. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@sandrabadillo3970]

That’s not true ravens have many more in communication with another raven they fellow me where I live

[@fromthethrone]

Great, thank you!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@FASIGMAN]

Thank you.......Ditto Miles.........

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@Theearthtraveler]

An amazing bird, thanks for sharing!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@gingerninjawhinger9986]

Thanks for another great video, Liam. Any chance that you could do a video of all of the black Corvids (rooks; ravens choughs &c.) side by side? I tend to get a little lost sometimes with the subtle differences and the last thing I want to do is to offend one of these magnificent birds by mis-identifying it. Many Thanks!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers! Thats a great suggestion and I will definitely give it a go. I'm going to do a "birds of prey of the UK" video at some point soon and go from there. Thank you.

[@nickrider5220]

Great video 👍- even in crowded England they give you a sense of the wilds. Sometimes dozens from many miles around will gather on a thermal, communicate to one another for a while and then they go off in their pairs, not a clue what it's for, but an awesome display 🙂

[@Johnnyslash1]

This is fascinating. Thanks for sharing your videos. 👍

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers. I'm glad to be of service.

[@teresacrowley4076]

Hi Liam. Here in Ireland the numbers are very high. I like to feed them in the winter!!!

[@thuytienlives8487]

Marvellous video! Ravens are so fascinating. Thank you for teaching us about these special birds. 🙂

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@kaytagney702]

That was fascinating Liam! I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a Raven as I luv in a town but I honestly never knew they were so intelligent. I suppose some of it is learned but I think a lot of it is embedded in their genes over generations. Love your videos and can’t wait for the next one! ☺️

[@bruce5168]

Beautiful birds

[@dawnrowlands2408]

I love watching the antics of the corvids that visit my garden. I've got a particular pair of magpies and they are regular visitors. Love your videos, best regards.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Hi Dawn. Im glad you get enjoyment from the magpies and other corvids that visit your garden they can be very entertaining. Thanks for your support, I hope you continue to enjoy the videos I make. Cheers

[@wildlifespotteruk]

Amazing how intelligent they are. Great informative video as always.👍

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you very much 😀

[@RA-yc9fb]

"Learning the ways of the raven."

[@mazoomska]

This is my favorite video so far!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@mellory515]

i love those birds they are so intelligent . Thanks for sharing the Video, it was very interesting 👍

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you for watching!

[@keithedmunds7536]

thanks liam very interesting i like the way you giv the information very detailed thanks

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Keith! Im glad you like the way I do these videos. They take a long time to put together so your support means a lot. Cheers

[@angelalayton1655]

I always learn from your videos, didn’t realise how intelligent they are. Beautiful birds. Thanks Liam

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you, I'm glad to be helpful :)

[@kckillakrack9714]

Any big bird like 4-5 lbs or bigger is gonna be smart.

[@lisaheimbigner5481]

❤😊🎉 fantastic,I live in the Olympics/ peninsula Washington I have ravens& eagles,up to 15,I love watching Raven,,, amazing 😊😊❤❤

[@guymansfield-smith1135]

Truly wonderful little program. Thank you.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Guy!

[@zoboe92]

Wonderful film, thank you. I know they're total hooligans but I do love ravens.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers!

[@tonybates9107]

Another very cool vid, poor ole raven got given a bad rap in the past, I learned some great info from this.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers Tony. Glad to be of service!

[@donnaml8776]

A Raven was sent out by Noah, but it did not return. Then Noah sent out a dove. The Raven is a great part of the Natives American religion especially in Alaska. They are much larger in Alaska then anywhere else I’ve seen them.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks. I don't know the full story and initially I included information about native American beliefs, viking gods and Greek gods but it went on a bit too long so I chopped it out. Thanks for taking the time to comment and I hope you enjoyed the video. Cheers

[@donnaml8776]

@@AShotOfWildlife thanks. 😊 Yes, I enjoy your videos. While I lived in Alaska I was amazed at the size of the Ravens. I live in Upstate New York now, and the Ravens here are closer to the size of crows to the point where a person can mistaken one for the other until you see the tail in flight or hear their call. Maybe you could make a video on the way Ravens have been included into many religions, some seen as good, some seen as bad. They are usually included in totem poles, (which is usually a family’s history), and the thing to remember about totem poles is that the lower a character is on the pole the more important they are, not the higher. Because they are seen as strong enough to uphold the others. I look forward to your videos. 😊

[@tonycox5625]

We live in Kent and have four crows and countless magpies that visit daily, always enjoy watching the corvids. 👍

[@dreghorn007]

I'm sure i read somewhere that crows can problem solve as well as a the average child aged 7.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Yes, I think that's about right. It's so impressive when you think about it. 7 year old have so much personality and individuality and that is matched by some birds!

[@zexalmish5307]

Nice video

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you.

[@Jerry-xs1uz]

BLACK 🖤 IS BEAUTIFUL!

[@deborahkogan8742]

Thank you!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers.

[@ranhdonaye4520]

Nice video❤️🥰

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks.

[@ph11p3540]

I knew a police dispatch office that had a raven they adopted. The creator started talking like a police radio. They eventually had to move it out of the dispatch office as it's calls would distract from the dispatch office. At least they left a police reciever where the bird often hangs out.

[@mrsmith4662]

Love these short wildlife vids. Apart from the magpie, I find it so tricky knowing what one of the crow family I'm looking at.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks. I will do one on rooks at some point in the future which would mean I have covered most of the corvids you are likely to see (if you are in the UK).

[@knutvonheim3838]

Thank you for these videos! I love this channel! Growing up with all the documentaries were from deserts, jungles, the Poles, and oceans. With this local knowledge I walk out the door and simply enjoy what I have leaned. Awesome and exiting :)

[@philiptaylor7902]

Hi Liam, great video! I love ravens, they aren’t plentiful here in the Chilterns but we do see our local family regularly and hear them more often than we see them. They have such a presence and always make our day.

[@moogdome2562]

Excellent. Thank you.

[@GameplaymetJob]

Lovely vid! Ravens are my favourite birds!

[@bjornlinsin4570]

Great video and so educational ❤

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@jamiew1664]

that was a really good video Liam, loved watching it. I love ravens.

[@missapippin9020]

Thank you I love your channel ❤️

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@davidwharton841]

Informative and straightforward without weird distractions or annoying music. Great videos.

[@robertcorradi8573]

Excellent once again. Thank you Liam.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@philclancaster]

They are fascinating to watch in the wild but I don't know all this about them, thanks for the video.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Great. I'm haply to have taught you some new things. Cheers

[@vincemcmain663]

Great video man thanks

[@arick_mnc]

Great content and delivery

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you.

[@MegaVector2011]

Fascinating, love all Corvids. I'm in North Yorkshire and hardly ever see Ravens which is a shame.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks! Yes, I am in Norfolk and they are very rare here as well, although they are becoming more common. I dont know if their numbers are increasing in North Yorkshire, I only know they are in Norfolk through personal contacts and birdwatching friends.

[@MegaVector2011]

@@AShotOfWildlife Thanks for your reply! I have a serious birder birder friend who says they are much more prominent in the west but populations are gradually moving eastwards so fingers crossed we might see more in future!

[@JayWil771]

@@MegaVector2011 Yes, they are moving East, Essex is another place they are starting to colonise

[@andreacc7795]

lovely information thank you.

[@ChersJourney]

I love this. Tysm.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@raymondpenalver7095]

This one was so interesting and so informative 👏

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Glad you think so! Cheers!

[@user-xn2hf9re8r]

Love your vids

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks!

[@richardcarr1900]

Truly underrated concise and informative. Fantastic channel thank you

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you very much! Thats very nice to hear.

[@stevec898]

Great channel and informative keep it up ( love it )

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers. I've got quite a bit of a variety lined up for future videos, from underwater fish footage to a hovering day flying moth. But also lots of these "things you need to know" videos too. Thanks

[@IveliumFae]

Really love your Things You Need To Know series!! I hope you do a video about the Kingfisher in the future!!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers. Kingfishers are on my hit list. I have been gathering footage of them so it'll be within the next couple of months.

[@morturn]

Super video, thanks

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you!

[@pauladee1272]

Thank you for this video

[@SkylarkFields]

Often hear and see ravens in my locality here in Dorset. Love to watch them playing in the air. The bit in your video where that one was hanging by its bill from a branch was so amusing. What characters they are! Great video and once again very informative.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. I agree, they have such personalities and even if you didnt know they were smart, they have that look about them. Mischievous!

[@ANGELS11]

Thankyou very informative, enjoyed watching your video

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Pauline, glad you enjoyed it.

[@MacDaddyRico]

I've never realized how smart birds were until I went to Boston, Mass... While walking down the road, I saw a chicken standing on the shoulder...just standing there... I wondered why it didn't cross the road...and then I heard it... The crow, flying high above, crying out its warning: "Cah..! Cah..! Cah..!!!"

[@rideronthewhitehorse2012]

Great video brother

[@mysterycrumble]

Cracking channel! You seem like a top bloke!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. I appreciate that!

[@greatedges]

So interesting! Thank you.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@spiritmiracle8032]

Thank you ❤

[@kennyshortcake999]

Liam..great channel. You have the perfect voice for the topic… a nice peaceful few minutes before back to ranting to myself about… all sorts ⚡️… 😂

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you. It's funny because in real life, I wouldn't say I am the calmest sounding person in the room most of the time. Cheers

[@kennyshortcake999]

@@AShotOfWildlife keep at it and you could be our new David Attenborough 🙃

[@AdiHughesGuitar]

Probably my favourite bird, some really good books on them out there too if you enjoy reading.

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers. I dont have much time for reading these days but if you want to suggest some books below in case other people who read this are interested, feel free to do so.

[@jeffallinson8089]

Wonderful birds, really enjoyed this. I have never seen a Raven in the wild. I live in north yorkshire.

[@marcuswestberry6038]

I just rescued a raven with a broken wing to wheee its twisted and rotten. I had to cut it the rest of the way off because of the infection that was spreading. Now she’s healing up and more active in my big bird sanctuary.

[@renatab8293]

So interesting, and fun to watch. thanks!

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thank you, I appreciate your support and that you took the time to leave a comment on this video (and my previous ones)!

[@yaki-moon]

I laughed my head off when I saw that one doing "acrobatic excersise" hanging from a branch on one leg and even with it's beak😂

[@AShotOfWildlife]

@@yaki-moon I can't refer if I did in the end, but I intended for that to be on screen whilst I spoke about how intelligent they are... lol

[@nicholasbell9017]

Eastleigh Council depot, where the bin lorries are based at Hedge End, sees a few of these birds. They are as big as the resident Herring gulls. I am told that they nest beside the Beaulieu River. This is about 6 miles West, across Southampton water. I once watched a TV documentary about a wood in Anglesey where Ravens congregate and wonder if anyone else saw this? Fantastic birds! Thanks. Nick.

[@DavidThurston-us7hn]

Love them.thank you God bless

[@paulannable3734]

Ravens use GESTURES?!

[@richthetrashpicker-upper5244]

thank you

[@mikegeld1280]

Great job mate,👍 good stuff,ravens are the best

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Thanks Mike!

[@mikegeld1280]

@@AShotOfWildlife cheers 😺

[@williamtomashowski1486]

Hay great video ,great presentation,Y’all gots my subscription “A”,will be watching 4r more!!

[@nunyabusiness9773]

Thank you Liam! This was a great informative video! My parents have a pine tree in their front yard and a baby raven fell out of it about 20 feet down to the ground. It was alive but had a broken wing. My parents watched closely over it to see if the adult ravens would continue to care for it but they haven’t. My parents have been feeding it and it has gotten much stronger over the past three days. It is almost starting to stand on its own and is now almost completely covered in black feathers. My family isn’t too sure on what to do besides wait it out and continue to feed it until it can survive on its own. My parents live in a super rural town about 3 hours away from a city so getting care isn’t easy. Anyways if you have any advice or anything please let us know!

[@John..18]

I love Corvids, (except Magpies),, thanks for showing us these,, 👍

[@AShotOfWildlife]

Cheers!

[@tedbomba6631]

Thanks, Liam, that was a very interesting and interesting and informative video. As an aside, ravens are the only known that fly and turn upside down in flight for no apparent reason except that they seem to enjoy it. Groups of ravens have been observed with each bird performing the same stunt seemingly just for the sheer enjoyment of it !

[@Sulani43]

My favorite bird!! Wish I had one

[@mho...]

Ravens are great! my second favorit, after Seagulls, wich just have the most beautiful inflight-picture of all birds🤗

[@mishapurser4439]

Lovely video! Please could you do the eider duck or short-eared owl next

[@wetleyrocks3092]

As I age, I grow evermore fond of Corvids