Northern Raven

How to recognise it

• Mostly black, iridescent plumage and a long, strongly graduated tail
• Very heavy, slightly curved bill, black in adults, as are the legs
• Elongated throat feathers, dark brown iris in adults, blue-grey in young birds
• In flight: wedge-shaped tail, long wings narrowing at the tips and a large head

Call and song

The call is a deep, rasping, hollow korrp, often repeated 3 to 4 times. It also gives a high, knocking krack-krack-krack and a dry, harsh kraa. It can mimic sounds around it, including human speech. In flight the feathers make a creaking sound likened to rustling silk.

Where and when

The Northern Raven is resident in Sweden and, after a strong increase in the 1970s, now breeds commonly across the whole country. It is reported from all 21 counties and is reported most in December to February. It favours forest with large open areas nearby, and coastal areas.

Food and behaviour

It eats carrion, insects and food waste, as well as grain, berries, fruit and small animals. In winter ravens may follow wolves to feed on the remains of their kills. Ravens usually travel in pairs, while young birds can form flocks. Unlike jackdaws, magpies and crows they are fairly shy, and they perform acrobatic display flights, such as loops.