Chihuahuan Raven

Chihuahuan Raven, adult; Cochise Co. Az; May

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Conservation Status
4. Other Names
5. Cool Facts
6. Full detailed species account

A big black bird of the southwestern deserts, the Chihuahuan Raven is intermediate between crows and ravens in many ways. It has the shape of a raven but is the size of a crow.

Description

• Large all-black bird.
• Tail pointed in middle.
• Large black bill.

• Size: 46-53 cm (18-21 in)
• Wingspan: 104-110 cm (41-43 in)
• Weight: 380-670 g (13.41-23.65 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes alike, male slightly larger.

Sound

Call a loud, harsh "quark, quark."

Conservation Status

Populations appear stable.

Other Names

Corbeau à cou blanc (French)
Cuervo llanero (Spanish)
White-necked Raven (English)

Cool Facts

• The nest of the Chihuahuan Raven usually is made primarily of twigs. The thorny twigs of mesquite trees are frequently used. Occasionally the raven will make a nest mostly of wire strands, but it will still use soft materials to line the cup.
• Unlike most crows, the Chihuahuan Raven frequently reuses its nest in subsequent years. Some pairs may maintain two nests and use them in alternate years.

• The bases of neck and body feathers of a Chihuahuan Raven are white, not gray like those of other American crows and ravens. The white is difficult to see in the field, and is only revealed by wind blowing the feathers, or when a bird fluffs its feathers to display at another raven. Although this coloration is unique in North America, a number of other crows and ravens around the world have white bases to their feathers.

Sources used to construct this page:

Bednarz, J. C., and R. J. Raitt. 2002. Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus). In The Birds of North America, No. 606 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.