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Kingdom - Animals -
Animalia
Phylum - Vertebrates -
Craniata
Class - Birds -
Aves
Order - Songbirds -
Passeriformes
Family - Jays / Crows / Magpies -
Corvidae
Species - Common Raven -
Corvus corax
Common Raven -
Corvus corax
Global Rank
:
G5
State Rank
:
S5
Agency Status
USFWS
:
none
USFS
:
none
BLM
:
none
CFWCS Tier
:
3
PIF
:
none
General Description
Very large, adult length up to 69 cm, mass 689-1,625 g. Plumage entirely glossy black with relatively long pointed wings, wedge-shaped tail, throat with elongated feathers commonly referred to as "hackles" and a large chisel-like bill. Female is somewhat smaller. (Boarman and Heinrich. The Birds of North America, No. 476, 1999). See Heinrich (1994, Wilson Bull. 106:571-572) for information on distinguishing juveniles and adults using plumage characteristics.
General Distribution
Montana Range
Western Hemisphere Range
Summary of Observations Submitted for Montana
Number of Observations:
7709
(Click on the following maps and charts to see full sized version)
Map Help and Descriptions
Relative Density
Recency
Breeding
(direct evidence "B")
Breeding
(indirect evidence "b")
No evidence of Breeding
(transient "t")
Overwintering
(regular observations "W")
Overwintering
(at least one obs. "w")
(Records associated with a range of dates are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Broad range of habitats: boreal, conifer, and deciduous forests; tundra; prairies and grasslands; isolated settlements, towns, and cities; deserts; sea coasts and islands; agricultural fields; Arctic ice floes; and the highest mountains. It is one of the most widespread naturally occurring birds in the world. (Boarman and Heinrich 1999). Birds descend into valleys in the winter (Davis 1961, Skaar 1969).
Food Habits
Its diverse diet includes arthropods (even scorpions), amphibians, reptiles, birds (adults, chicks, and eggs), small mammals, carrion, grains, buds, and berries. (Boarman and Heinrich 1999).
Reproductive Characteristics
Single brood per season. Clutch ranges from 3 to 7 eggs. (Boarman and Heinrich 1999). In the Fortine area, flying young have been seen as early as June 8. Egg dates are probably similar to those in Jackson Hole, early April to mid-June (Johnsgard 1986).
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