Size: A mature common raven ranges between 54 and 67 cm long, with a wingspan of 115 to 150 cm; recorded weights range from 0.69 to 2 kg.

Vocalisations: The species has a distinctive, deep, resonant prruk-prruk-prruk call. Its very wide and complex vocabulary includes a high, knocking toc-toc-toc, a dry, grating kraa, a low guttural rattle and some calls of an almost musical nature.

Habitat: Most common ravens prefer wooded areas with large expanses of open land nearby.

Behaviour: Common ravens usually travel in mated pairs, although young birds may form flocks. Relationships between common ravens are often quarrelsome, yet they demonstrate considerable devotion to their families. The common ravens feed on carrion, insects, cereal grains, berries, fruit, small animals, nesting birds, and food waste. Common ravens are monogamous. Once paired, they tend to nest together for life, usually in the same location. The nest is usually placed in a large tree or on a cliff ledge, or less frequently in old buildings or utility poles. Females lay between 3 and 7 pale bluish-green, brown-blotched eggs. In Latvia, there are 3,000-5,000 couples.

Interesting facts: The brain of a raven is one of the largest of any bird. They are characterised by their ability to deal with unusual situations, to imitate and analyse what is happening. The beliefs of different nations about ravens are similar: they either herald death, or they are the souls of the dead, or they are cursed, or they foretell woe.

Photo: pixabay.com