SPC·10
Little Raven
Corvus mellori
Southeast Australia
LC Least Concern (LC) · BirdLife International 2020
The Little Raven (Corvus mellori) is the smallest and most social of the Australian ravens — 48–50 cm long — found in southeast Australia. It is identified by its faster, sharper call, shorter throat hackles and habit of forming large flocks, unlike the territorial Australian Raven.
Quick Facts
- Length
- 48–50 cm
- Wingspan
- 96–110 (estimated) cm
- Weight
- 340–460 g
- IUCN Status
- Least Concern (LC)
- Range
- Southeast Australia — southern South Australia, Victoria, the ACT, southern NSW and northeast Tasmania.
- Habitat
- Open woodland, mallee, alpine and subalpine areas, farmland, urban parks.
- Diet
- Omnivore: invertebrates, small vertebrates, berries, grain, refuse.
- Voice
- Shorter, sharper "kar" or "arr" calls — faster and higher than Australian Raven; often rapid "arr-arr-arr".
Field Marks — How to Identify Little Raven
- Smaller than Australian Raven and Forest Raven — the smallest of the three.
- White iris in adults (as all Australian Corvus).
- Shorter throat hackles than Australian Raven.
- More gregarious — commonly in flocks, sometimes very large; Australian Ravens usually in pairs.
- Faster, sharper call without the drawn-out final note of Australian Raven.
Behaviour
The most sociable of the Australian ravens; flocks of hundreds occur outside the breeding season, and large mixed corvid flocks form at good food sources. Pairs breed but join flocks between seasons. Performs wing-flicks more frequently than other Australian corvids.
Conservation Status
Least Concern. Common throughout its range. Molecular studies confirm it and Forest Raven are sister species, with Australian Raven as an earlier divergence.
Similar Species
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you tell a Little Raven from an Australian Raven?
Size and behaviour are the first clues: Little Ravens are smaller and usually in flocks, while Australian Ravens are bigger and territorial. The call is the clearest mark: Little Ravens give a fast "arr-arr-arr"; Australian Ravens produce a wailing cry with a drawn-out final note.
Sources
- BirdLife International (2020). Corvus mellori. IUCN Red List 2020. — IUCN status, range
- Higgins, P.J., Peter, J.M. & Cowling, S.J. (eds) (2006). HANZAB Vol 7. Oxford University Press. — size, field marks, behaviour, voice, taxonomy