A raven is one of several larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus—but in Europe and North America the Common Raven is normally implied. They have black plumage and large beaks.
Species include:
- Corvus albicollis – White-necked Raven
- Corvus corax – Common Raven
- Corvus coronoides – Australian Raven
- Corvus crassirostris – Thick-billed Raven
- Corvus cryptoleucus – Chihuahuan Raven
- Corvus mellori – Little Raven
- Corvus rhipidurus – Fan-tailed Raven
- Corvus ruficollis – Brown-necked Raven
- Corvus tasmanicus – Forest Raven
- C. t. boreus – Relict Raven
Extinct:
- †Corvus moriorum – Chatham Raven
- †Corvus antipodum – New Zealand Raven
Smaller-bodied species in the genus Corvus include the crows, jackdaws, and the rook.
Most ravens eat some sort of fruit, such as dates, or berries. Most are omnivorous. The ravens look similar to another common bird, the crow, being related.
Famous quotes containing the word raven:
“O, it comes o’er my memory
As doth the raven o’er the infected house,
Boding to all!”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Thriftless ambition, that will raven up
Thine own life’s means!”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Does wisdom perhaps appear on the earth as a raven which is inspired by the smell of carrion?”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)