Raven

• Name also

  Common raven, Northern raven

• Appearance

  The largest of Finland’s crows. Wings comparatively long and narrow, tail wedge-shaped, beak strongly built. Totally black in colouring with a green and bluish violet metallic sheen sometimes visible.

• Size

  Length 54–67 cm, wingspan 115–130 cm, weight 0.95–1.4 kg.

• Nest

  High in a tree or on a cliff. Made of twigs, lined with smaller twigs, moss, lichen, mud, wool and hair.

• Breeding

  3–6 eggs laid in March–April, incubated by female for 18–20 days. Fledglings remain in nest for 5–6 weeks. Family broods subsequently stay together for several months.

• Distribution

  Scarce breeder in extensive areas of forest throughout Finland. Finnish breeding population estimated at 21,000 pairs.

• Migration

  Sedentary, though young birds may range over wider areas.

• Diet

  Omnivorous.

• Calls

  Very many different calls and phrases, some of which sound un-birdlike. Most common call a loud, harsh “kro kro”.

• Endangerment

  Least concern, protected (not protected in reindeer area the whole year)

Ravens are large, completely black members of the crow family. In bright light their plumage often has a noticeable green and bluish violet metallic sheen. Their wings are quite long and narrow. Their tails are longish with wedge-shaped tips. Their beaks are strongly built. Their legs and beak are black, and their irises may be dark brown (mature birds) or bluish grey (juveniles).

Ravens are sensitive and cautious, but also inquisitive. They mate with a lifelong partner. Their flight appears more stable than the flight of a Hooded Crow, and they often soar without beating their wings, like a Buzzard.