SPC·06
Fan-tailed Raven
Corvus rhipidurus
Middle East, Horn of Africa
LC Least Concern (LC) · BirdLife International 2020
The Fan-tailed Raven (Corvus rhipidurus) is a compact, 47 cm raven of cliff faces in the Middle East and Horn of Africa. Its most distinctive feature is an extremely short, fan-shaped tail that makes it look almost tailless in flight — unlike any other raven.
Quick Facts
- Length
- 47 cm
- Wingspan
- 102–120 cm
- Weight
- 340–550 g
- IUCN Status
- Least Concern (LC)
- Range
- Arabian Peninsula, Middle East from Israel to Iran; Horn of Africa including Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia; isolated population in Chad (Tibesti).
- Habitat
- Cliff faces, gorges, escarpments; associated with rocky terrain in arid and semi-arid zones.
- Diet
- Omnivore: carrion, insects, small vertebrates, refuse around settlements.
- Voice
- High-pitched, shrill calls — markedly different from the deep croak of the Common Raven.
Field Marks — How to Identify Fan-tailed Raven
- Very short tail — so short the bird looks almost tailless in flight overhead.
- Broad, rounded wings giving a vulture-like silhouette when soaring.
- Entirely black plumage with a blue-purple gloss.
- Bill heavy for its size but shorter than Common Raven.
- High-pitched voice — a good ear-mark.
Behaviour
Sociable around cliffs; pairs nest on ledges, often in loose colonies. Soars extensively on thermals above cliff faces. Sometimes associates with the larger Brown-necked Raven where their ranges overlap.
Conservation Status
Least Concern. Locally common on rocky terrain across its range.
Similar Species
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Fan-tailed Raven look tailless?
Its tail is exceptionally short relative to its wing length, so when soaring overhead it shows a broad, rounded winged shape with almost no visible tail — giving it a silhouette more like a large falcon or small eagle than a typical raven.
Sources
- BirdLife International (2020). Corvus rhipidurus. IUCN Red List 2020. — IUCN status, range
- Madge, S. & Burn, H. (1994). Crows and Jays. Christopher Helm, London. — size, field marks, behaviour