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Common Raven

Corvus corax

Bird · family Corvidae · order Passeriformes

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Common Raven
Photo: Accipiter (R. Altenkamp, Berlin), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
34 states[3]
Oldest known wild bird
22 years[4]

The Common Raven is a bird in the crow family, Corvidae[5]. It is ranked Secure worldwide by NatureServe and is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act[2][1].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Common Raven a global rank of G5, which means Secure[2]. Its national rank in the United States is N5, also Secure[6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The bird is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. It is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Migratory Bird Treaty Act[8] Protected

Where Common Raven lives

NatureServe lists the Common Raven as native in 34 US states and territories, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Texas, Maine and New York[3]. NatureServe ranks it as extirpated or possibly extirpated, meaning gone or possibly gone, in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and South Dakota[9]. National Park Service lists record it in 159 park units[10].

Alaska: native, state rank S5AKMaine: native, state rank S5MEWisconsin: native, state rank S4WIVermont: native, state rank S3VTNew Hampshire: native, state rank S5NHWashington: native, state rank S5WAIdaho: native, state rank S5IDMontana: native, state rank S5MTNorth Dakota: native, state rank SUNDMinnesota: native, state rank SNRMNIllinois: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXILMichigan: native, state rank S5MINew York: native, state rank S4NYMassachusetts: native, state rank S4MAOregon: native, state rank S5ORNevada: native, state rank S5NVWyoming: native, state rank S5B,S5NWYSouth Dakota: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXBINOhio: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXOHPennsylvania: native, state rank S5BPANew Jersey: native, state rank S4B,S4NNJConnecticut: native, state rank S4BCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: native, state rank SNRCAUtah: native, state rank S5UTColorado: native, state rank S5CONebraska: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXB,S1NNEMissouri: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXMOKentucky: native, state rank S1KYWest Virginia: native, state rank S4B,S4NWVVirginia: native, state rank S4VAMaryland: native, state rank S4MDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: native, state rank S5AZNew Mexico: native, state rank S5B,S5NNMKansas: not recordedKSArkansas: not recordedARTennessee: native, state rank S2TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S3NCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S4SCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: native, state rank S1OKLouisiana: not recordedLAMississippi: not recordedMSAlabama: extirpated or possibly extirpated, state rank SXALGeorgia: native, state rank S2GAHawaii: not recordedHITexas: native, state rank S3BTXFlorida: not recordedFLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[11].
Show state ranks (41 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaSXPresumed Extirpated
AlaskaS5Secure
ArizonaS5Secure
CaliforniaSNRNot Ranked
ColoradoS5Secure
ConnecticutS4BApparently Secure (breeding)
GeorgiaS2Imperiled
IdahoS5Secure
IllinoisSXPresumed Extirpated
IndianaSXBPresumed Extirpated (breeding)
KentuckyS1Critically Imperiled
MaineS5Secure
MarylandS4Apparently Secure
MassachusettsS4Apparently Secure
MichiganS5Secure
MinnesotaSNRNot Ranked
MissouriSXPresumed Extirpated
MontanaS5Secure
NebraskaSXB,S1NPresumed Extirpated (breeding), Critically Imperiled (nonbreeding)
NevadaS5Secure
New HampshireS5Secure
New JerseyS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
New MexicoS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)
New YorkS4Apparently Secure
North CarolinaS3Vulnerable
North DakotaSUUnrankable
OhioSXPresumed Extirpated
OklahomaS1Critically Imperiled
OregonS5Secure
PennsylvaniaS5BSecure (breeding)
South CarolinaS4Apparently Secure
South DakotaSXPresumed Extirpated
TennesseeS2Imperiled
TexasS3BVulnerable (breeding)
UtahS5Secure
VermontS3Vulnerable
VirginiaS4Apparently Secure
WashingtonS5Secure
West VirginiaS4B,S4NApparently Secure (breeding), Apparently Secure (nonbreeding)
WisconsinS4Apparently Secure
WyomingS5B,S5NSecure (breeding), Secure (nonbreeding)

Habitat

The Common Raven lives in many kinds of places, from lowlands to mountains and from open country to forest[12]. NatureServe records forests, woodlands, shrubland, grassland, desert, alpine areas, tundra, cliffs, cropland, riparian areas and tidal shores[13]. It is found most often in hilly or mountainous areas near cliffs[12]. Nests are usually on cliff ledges or in conifer trees, and sometimes on man-made structures[12].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size, diet and lifespan

NatureServe describes the Common Raven as an opportunistic eater[14]. In some areas it is mostly a scavenger, and it also eats bird eggs, young birds, rodents, fruit, grain and insects[14]. A typical adult is about 61 cm (24 in) long[15]. It weighs about 3 lb[16]. Clutches are usually 3 to 6 eggs, and the female incubates them for 18 to 21 days[17]. Chicks leave the nest at 5 to 6 weeks old[17]. The longest recorded lifespan is 69 years in captivity[18]. The oldest known wild raven in banding records was at least 22 years 6 months old[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[15] 61 cm (24 in)
Typical adult weight[16] 1.2 kg (3 lb)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[18] 69 years (captivity)
Oldest known wild bird (banding)[4] 22 years 6 months
Litter or clutch size[19] 5
Gestation or incubation[20] 19 days
Female maturity[21] 1,095 days (about 3.0 years)
Food habits[22] Carnivore, Invertivore, Granivore, Frugivore
Migration[23] non-migrant

Estimated diet composition (EltonTraits 1.0)[24]

  • 20% warm-blooded vertebrates
  • 20% carrion
  • 10% seeds
  • 10% reptiles and amphibians
  • 10% other plant material
  • 10% invertebrates
  • 10% fruit
  • 10% fish

When to look for it

NatureServe describes the Common Raven as active by day and around dawn and dusk[25]. It is mostly a year-round resident, though some birds in the far north of its range have been reported to migrate[26][23]. Observation records on GBIF are highest in March, April and May[27]. That shows when people look and report, not how many birds there are[27].

January: 525,829 recordsJanFebruary: 486,948 recordsFebMarch: 557,308 recordsMarApril: 684,501 recordsAprMay: 778,313 recordsMayJune: 538,154 recordsJunJuly: 396,278 recordsJulAugust: 403,744 recordsAugSeptember: 511,257 recordsSepOctober: 527,831 recordsOctNovember: 448,229 recordsNovDecember: 471,492 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[27].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January525,829
February486,948
March557,308
April684,501
May778,313
June538,154
July396,278
August403,744
September511,257
October527,831
November448,229
December471,492

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Common Raven as present in 159 park units[10]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 135 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: California, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Colorado[28]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Common Raven endangered?
No. It is not listed as Endangered or Threatened under the US Endangered Species Act[1]. NatureServe ranks it Secure globally and nationally[2][6].
Where does the Common Raven live?
NatureServe lists it as native in 34 US states and territories, including Alaska, Arizona, California and Texas[3]. It is ranked as extirpated or possibly extirpated in seven states, including Ohio and Illinois[9].
What does the Common Raven eat?
NatureServe describes it as an opportunistic eater[14]. In some areas it scavenges animals and also eats eggs, young birds, rodents, fruit, grain and insects[14].
How big is a Common Raven?
A typical adult is about 61 cm (24 in) long[15]. It weighs about 3 lb[16].
How long does a Common Raven live?
The longest recorded lifespan is 69 years in captivity[18]. The oldest known wild raven in US and Canadian banding records was at least 22 years 6 months old[4].

Facts and sources

  1. Common Raven is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Common Raven: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Common Raven as native in 34 US states and territories: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New... NatureServe Explorer
  4. Oldest known wild Common Raven from US and Canadian bird banding records: at least 22 years 6 months old (USGS Bird Banding Laboratory). USGS Bird Banding Lab
  5. Common Raven (Corvus corax) is a bird in the family Corvidae, order Passeriformes. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. Common Raven is on the federal list of migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (50 CFR 10.13). eCFR, 50 CFR 10.13
  9. NatureServe ranks Common Raven as extirpated or possibly extirpated (SX or SH) in: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NPSpecies park lists recording Common Raven as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies
  11. NatureServe state ranks for Common Raven (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  12. NatureServe notes on habitat for Common Raven. NatureServe Explorer
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Common Raven: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Shrubland/chaparral, Savanna, Grassland/herbaceous, Desert, Alpine, Tundra, Bare... NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on food for Common Raven. NatureServe Explorer
  15. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 61 cm (24 in). NatureServe Explorer
  16. Typical adult weight recorded by NatureServe: 1.2 kg (3 lb). NatureServe Explorer
  17. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Common Raven. NatureServe Explorer
  18. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 69 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  19. Typical litter or clutch size in AnAge: 5. AnAge
  20. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 19 days. AnAge
  21. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 1,095 days (about 3.0 years). AnAge
  22. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Carnivore, Invertivore, Granivore, Frugivore. NatureServe Explorer
  23. NatureServe migration category for Common Raven: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  24. Estimated diet composition in EltonTraits 1.0: 20% warm-blooded vertebrates, 20% carrion, 10% seeds, 10% reptiles and amphibians, 10% other plant material, 10% invertebrates, 10% fruit, 10% fish. EltonTraits 1.0
  25. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal, Crepuscular. NatureServe Explorer
  26. NatureServe notes on migration for Common Raven. NatureServe Explorer
  27. GBIF observation records of Common Raven in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  28. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Common Raven: California, Arizona, Washington, Oregon, Colorado. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.

Photo: Accipiter (R. Altenkamp, Berlin), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.