SPC·05
Brown-necked Raven
Corvus ruficollis
Sahara, Middle East, Central Asia
LC Least Concern (LC) · BirdLife International 2020
The Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis) is a mid-sized desert raven — 52–56 cm long — of the Sahara, Arabian Peninsula and Central Asia. In good light the head, neck and back show a warm brown gloss, contrasting with the blacker wings.
Quick Facts
- Length
- 52–56 cm
- Wingspan
- 109–130 (estimated) cm
- Weight
- 410–560 (estimated) g
- IUCN Status
- Least Concern (LC)
- Range
- Sahara and Sahel from Morocco east to Pakistan; also the Arabian Peninsula and parts of the Middle East.
- Habitat
- Arid desert, semi-desert, dry steppe and stony plains; avoids dense vegetation.
- Diet
- Omnivore: carrion, insects, lizards, small mammals, plant material, refuse.
- Voice
- Nasal, slightly higher-pitched than Common Raven; a hollow "krok".
Field Marks — How to Identify Brown-necked Raven
- Brown-glossed head, neck and back — visible in good light as a warm-brown sheen contrasting with the black wings.
- Smaller and slimmer than Common Raven.
- Bill lighter and less arched than Common Raven.
- Long, narrow wings in flight; often soars high in desert thermals.
Behaviour
Generally solitary or in pairs; associates with nomadic herders and their livestock carcasses. Nests on cliffs, pylons and large trees in an otherwise treeless landscape.
Conservation Status
Least Concern. Widespread across a vast arid range; no significant population declines documented.
Similar Species
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Brown-necked Raven different from other ravens?
The diagnostic feature is the brown iridescence on the head, neck and back, visible in direct sunlight — most ravens appear blue-black or purple-black. It is also smaller and slimmer than the Common Raven.
Sources
- BirdLife International (2020). Corvus ruficollis. IUCN Red List 2020. — IUCN status, range
- Madge, S. & Burn, H. (1994). Crows and Jays. Christopher Helm, London. — size, field marks, habitat