Raven

raven, common name for the largest member of the family Corvidae (crow family), ranging throughout the arctic and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The raven, Corvus corax, is a glossy black scavenging bird about 26 in. (66 cm) long, with a call resembling a guttural croak. Long the subject of superstition and legend, the raven can be tamed and taught to mimic human speech. Ravens are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Passeriformes, family Corvidae.

Bibliography

See studies by B. Heinrich (repr. 1991; 1999).

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raven

Any of several species (genus Corvus, crow family Corvidae) of heavy-billed, usually solitary, songbirds, once abundant throughout the Northern Hemisphere but now restricted to undisturbed areas. The common raven (C. corax), the biggest passerine, grows to 26 in. (66 cm) long and has a wingspan of more than 4 ft (1.3 m). The dark, iridescent plumage is shaggy, especially around the throat. Ravens eat rodents, insects, grain, birds' eggs, and, in winter, carrion and refuse. Captive nestlings may learn to mimic a few words. The large nest, a crude structure of sticks, is built high on a cliff or treetop.

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raven

1. a large passerine bird, Corvus corax, having a large straight bill, long wedge-shaped tail, and black plumage: family Corvidae (crows). It has a hoarse croaking cry

2. 

a. a shiny black colour

b. (as adjective): raven hair

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raven

bird of ill omen visits the despairing poet. [Am. Lit.: Poe The Raven]

See : Birds

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raven

guardian of the dead. [Christian Folklore: Mercatante, 159]

See : Guardianship

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raven

often presages death or catastrophe. [Animal Folklore: Jobes, 213]

See : Omen

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Raven

(Corvus corax), a bird of the crow family, in the Passeriformes order. Body length, 60-65 cm. Black in color with blue or green metallic tint; young ravens are mat black. The distribution of ravens is very broad: they are found in Europe, Asia (excluding the southeast), North and Central America, and North Africa; in the USSR they are every-where except in densely populated areas. Ravens are not numerous. They lead a settled or a migratory life. During the winter they flock to the dumps near cities. They build their nests in trees and on rocks, coastal precipices, and tall structures. A single nesting place serves for generation after generation. From five to six eggs are laid once a year. The raven is an omniverous bird, but most of its food consists of animal food and carrion. A closely related species is the desert raven (C. ruficollis), brownish in color, which inhabits North Africa and southwest Asia; in the USSR it is found in the deserts of Middle Asia.