Question · Biology
Where Do Ravens Live?
[science] The Common Raven (Corvus corax) has the widest range of any raven — the entire Holarctic: North America from Alaska to Central America, all of Europe, and across Asia to Japan. Other raven species have much smaller ranges: the Thick-billed Raven is confined to the Ethiopian Highlands; Australian ravens to Australasia. In total, 10 raven species are found across four continents.
The 10 Raven Species and Where They Live
- Common Raven (Corvus corax) — Holarctic: North America, Europe, Asia, North Africa. The most widespread.
- Thick-billed Raven (Corvus crassirostris) — Ethiopian Highlands (Ethiopia, Eritrea, N Somalia). Above 1,500 m.
- White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis) — Eastern and southern Africa. Cliffs, highlands, savanna edges.
- Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus) — US Southwest and northern Mexico. Arid grassland and desert.
- Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis) — Sahara, Middle East, Central Asia deserts.
- Fan-tailed Raven (Corvus rhipidurus) — Middle East and Horn of Africa. Cliffs and gorges.
- Somali Crow (Corvus edithae) — Horn of Africa (Somalia, NE Kenya, SE Ethiopia).
- Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides) — Mainland Australia. The most widespread Australian corvid.
- Forest Raven (Corvus tasmanicus) — Tasmania; small SE mainland Australia population.
- Little Raven (Corvus mellori) — SE Australia. Open country and alpine zones.
Common Raven Habitat Tolerance
[science] The Common Raven is the most habitat-tolerant of all ravens. It breeds in Arctic tundra, boreal forest, temperate woodland, Mediterranean scrub, desert, coastal cliffs, alpine zones, farmland, and increasingly urban and suburban areas. No other raven species approaches this ecological breadth.1
The key requirements are: a reliable food source (carrion, refuse, or invertebrates), nesting sites (cliff ledges, tall trees, structures), and sufficient territory. Ravens are highly adaptable to changes in these resources.
Range Changes — Expansion and Contraction
[science] Common Raven populations in Western Europe were severely reduced by persecution (shooting, poisoning) during the 18th–20th centuries. Following legal protection in Britain (Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981) and equivalent legislation elsewhere in Europe, ravens have steadily recolonised their former range. They are now breeding in Lowland England for the first time in centuries.2
[science] In contrast, some raven populations in the US Southwest have expanded dramatically due to increased food from human waste — a subject of active management concern in areas where ravens prey on the nests of endangered desert tortoises and other sensitive species.1
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Are ravens found in Australia?
Yes — three raven species are native to Australia: the Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides) across the mainland, the Forest Raven (Corvus tasmanicus) in Tasmania and parts of SE Australia, and the Little Raven (Corvus mellori) in SE Australia. No Common Raven occurs in Australia.
Do ravens live in cities?
Common Ravens increasingly use cities and suburbs, particularly where food is available from human waste. In some regions — Yellowknife (Canada), parts of the US Southwest, Israel — urban raven populations have expanded significantly. Most raven species still prefer open, wild country.
Are there ravens in the UK?
Yes. The Common Raven (Corvus corax) is a resident breeding bird in Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and upland areas of northern England. It was extirpated from lowland England by centuries of persecution but has recolonised steadily since legal protection in the 20th century.
Sources
- Boarman, W.I. & Heinrich, B. (1999). Common Raven (Corvus corax). Birds of the World. Cornell Lab. — range, habitat, urban expansion.
- BirdLife International (2020). Corvus corax. IUCN Red List. — population trend, UK recolonisation.
[science] peer-reviewed/field-guide data