Little Raven

Overview

The little raven (Corvus mellori) is a small raven species native to southeastern Australia that was only recognised as a distinct species in 1967. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to its large range, abundance, and stable population.

Identification

• Approximately 48–50 cm in length, slightly smaller than the Australian raven, with completely black plumage, beak, and legs.
• Features a white iris in adulthood, whereas nestlings have blue-grey eyes and juveniles have brown eyes.
• Produces a harsh, guttural call described as 'kar-kar-kar-karrr' or 'ark-ark-ark-arrk', often accompanied by stretching or flicking the wings outward.

Habitat

The species ranges across southern South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and the islands of Kangaroo Island and King Island. It inhabits a diverse range of environments including scrub, agricultural areas, grazing pastures, woodlands, treeless plains, coasts, and suburbs, while being absent from forest-dominated regions like West Gippsland.

Diet

Primarily feeding on the ground, little ravens consume more insects than their larger relative, the Australian raven, including spiders, millipedes, centipedes, grasshoppers, cicadas, and caterpillars. They are also opportunistic omnivores, sometimes preying on little penguin nests on Phillip Island, and are capable of using tools to seek out food.

Did you know?

Little ravens are known for their sociability and intelligence, having been recorded using tools and employing innovative methods to find food. They also exhibit vocal mimicry, a trait more commonly observed in captivity but rarely in the wild.