Chihuahuan Raven

Overview

The Chihuahuan raven (Corvus cryptoleucus) is a species of raven native to the United States and Mexico. It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List and is considered one of the smaller raven species.

Identification

• Size and proportions: Similar in appearance to the Australian raven, ranging from 44–51 cm long, with heavy-billed proportions resembling the common raven but slightly larger than the American crow.
• Plumage: All-black with a rich purple-blue gloss in good light; feather bases are whiter than in similar species, and the base of the neck may appear white when feathers are ruffled by strong wind.
• Bill and Head: Features dark brown irises and distinct nasal bristles that extend further down the top of the bill than in any other Corvus species, reaching about two-thirds of the bill's length.
• Voice: Produces 'pruk-pruk' sounds and croaks at slightly higher pitches than the common raven, and is capable of vocal mimicry, though this is rarely observed in the wild.

Habitat

The Chihuahuan raven occurs in the Southwestern and Midwestern United States and northern Mexico. Its range includes southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, southeastern Colorado, western Kansas, western Oklahoma, and southern and western Texas.

Diet

This bird feeds on a varied diet including cultivated cereal grains, insects, other invertebrates, small reptiles, carrion, cactus fruits, eggs, and nestlings.

Did you know?

Nesting pairs are highly territorial, but in rare cases, they may allow outsiders into their territory to communally defend the area against potential predators.