9 Types of Ravens: Species, Identification, and Photos

Covered in black feathers, ravens are relatively large birds with shaggy feathers around the throat and above the beak. Like their crow cousins, ravens are incredibly intelligent birds that can use tools and mimic human sounds. If you want to know each type of raven, join us as we explore the diversity of these corvids.

Raven Classification

Ravens have glossy, jet-black feathers that can radiate an iridescent purple or blue glow. They live in forests, mountains, deserts, tundras, and urban areas from North America to Eastern Africa. 

Ravens and crows belong to the genus Corvus, and they both sport similar looks. However, a raven's larger bill, wedge-shaped tail, and flight pattern set it apart. Ravens rival the Red-tailed Hawk in size, while crows mirror pigeons.

In the Corvus genus of 47 species¹, nine are named ravens, and 37 are crows. The singular rook stands out with its white, featherless face. 

The following sections highlight the distinguishing traits of some raven species, common raven subspecies, and other close relatives.

Read more: Raven Facts.

9 Types of Ravens

Quick links to the different types of ravens:

1. Common Raven (Corvus corax)

The Common Raven has jet-black feathers and is one of the world’s heaviest perching birds. It measures 27 inches and weighs around 4.4 pounds. They hold the largest distribution of the Corvus species, covering much of the Northern Hemisphere. They live in the forests of western and northern North America.

This bird exercises excellent problem-solving abilities and mimicry skills. It also enjoys a diverse diet. Additionally, common ravens have adapted to various habitats, exhibiting complex group structures, playful behavior, and lifelong partnerships. 

Various subspecies of this most common type of raven have adapted to different regions of the world. Discern the following 11 raven subspecies from America to Asia².

Northern Raven (C. c. principalis)

The Northern Raven is a large bird that has adapted to the environments of Alaska, Greenland, Canada, and the northeastern United States. It has the largest bill, and glossy and well-defined throat feathers called throat hackles. 

Western Raven (C. c. sinuatus)

The Western Raven inhabits North America's coastal landscapes and mountain ranges, from southwest Canada to the west coast of the USA to Mexico and Nicaragua. These birds are smaller and have narrower bills compared to the previous type of subspecies.

Southwestern Raven (C. c. clarionensis)

Some authorities recognized this subspecies as Western Ravens for its similarities in appearance and its overlapping distribution. You can find them specifically in the southwest USA and northwest Mexico.

North Atlantic Raven (C. c. varius)

The North Atlantic Raven is a smaller subspecies of the common raven. It lives in the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and the Orkney and Shetland Islands. At a closer look, its throat hackle is whitish. 

Living in the same region, the extinct Pied Raven morph also has a clearer black-and-white look. Moreover, the Pied Crow shares a similar color combination.

North African Raven (C. c. tingitanus)

The North African Raven is the smallest among all subspecies and has the shortest throat hackle.

Canary Islands Raven (C. c. canariensis)

Some authorities consider the Canary Islands Raven a separate subspecies from the North African Raven due to its browner hue.

North Eurasian Raven (C. c. corax)

The North Eurasian Raven inhabits the British Isles, Scandinavia, Northern Europe, Russia, and Siberia. It has glossy black plumage that shows off a purplish-blue shimmer under the sunlight.

Hispanic Raven (C. c. hispanus)

Hispanic ravens are sometimes considered part of the North Eurasian Raven subspecies. However, some authorities designated them as separate subspecies due to their more arched bills and shorter wings.

South Eurasian Raven (C. c. subcorax)

The South Eurasian Raven lives in the southern stretches of Eurasia. It is slightly larger than its northern kin but has shorter throat hackles. The brownish color of its breast and neck feathers also gives it a unique look.

Tibetan Raven (C. c. tibetanus)

The Tibetan Raven inhabits the Tibetan plateau in Northeastern Asia. Largest among all the subspecies, it also has the glossiest plumage and the longest throat hackle. Moreover, its neck base has a gray hue.

Kamchatkan Raven (C. c. kamtschaticus)

The Kamchatkan Raven is native to the remote Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's Far East. Its size sits between that of the Northern Raven and North Eurasian subspecies. It also has a more prominent beak than the North Eurasian 

2. Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides)

The Australian Raven, the largest corvid species in Australia, sports an all-black covering - feathers, beak, mouth, and tongue. Sturdy black or grey-black legs support it. Its beak significantly surpasses the head in length, ending in a slight hook.

These birds favor natural and modified habitats, leaning towards eucalyptus-interesting sclerophyll forests and tree-adjacent farmlands. Their habitats invariably involve available water and roosting or perching spaces. 

3. Forest Raven (Corvus tasmanicus)

The Forest Raven, often called the Tasmanian Raven, is the most widespread bird species in Tasmania. It occupies varied habitats, from woods and interrupted forests to mountainsides, farmlands, and urban fringes. 

Its black plumage glistens with a blue-green sheen. Its common features include long, broad wings and a massive, sturdy beak.

4. White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis)

The white-necked Raven inhabits eastern and southern Africa, residing in open, mountainous regions. This bird is seen near human settlements with nearby hills for nesting. 

It stands out for its short tail and deep, arched, white-tipped beak. Its black feathers bear a faint purple gloss, highlighted by a patch of white on the nape.

5. Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis)

The Brown-necked Raven is a bird found far and wide, from North Africa to southern Iran. Its home is mainly the desert, but it's known to visit oases and palm groves.

This bird closely resembles the Common Raven with a distinct brownish-black head and throat. However, its bill is smaller, and its wings are more pointed. Other features include shiny black plumage with a hint of blue or purple and all-black feet, legs, and bill.

6. Thick-billed Raven (Corvus crassirostris)

The Thick-Billed Raven, native to northeastern tropical Africa, is known for its distinct features. Populations flourish in Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

Its distinguishing character is a large, deeply arched bill, compressed on the sides. Notably, the bill sports a white tip and exhibits deep nasal grooves with light nasal bristle covers. 

The raven's head, throat, and neck carry short feathers. Its throat and upper breast, reflecting an oily brown gloss, contrast sharply with the rest of its glossy black body. A defining feature is a stand-out white patch of feathers on its neck and nape. 

7. Fan-tailed Raven (Corvus rhipidurus)

The Fan-tailed Raven, predominantly found in North Africa, Arabia, and some areas of Sudan and Kenya, thrives best in dry, open landscapes with nesting crags. 

This raven sports a completely black exterior, from beak to feet, with a purple-blue gloss visible under the right light conditions. It's among the smaller raven species, comparable in size to the carrion crow.

8. Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus)

The Chihuahuan Raven, native to Southwest and Midwest US and Northern Mexico, bears a weighty bill. It's likened to a Carrion Crow in size, approximately as large as the American Crow. 

In ample light, its jet-black feathers give off a deep purple-blue gloss. Unlike the Australian raven, it boasts dark-brown irises and rather pale feather bases. The bird's beak, legs, and feet are starkly black.

9. Little Raven (Corvus mellori)

The Little Raven, prevalent in southeastern Australia, thrives in diverse habitats, from coasts to scrublands. This bird, slightly smaller than its cousin, the Australian Raven, is more socially inclined, forming large feeding flocks. Eye color in these ravens changes with age, transitioning from blue-gray in nestlings to pure white in adulthood.