The Common Raven (Corvus corax) is a resident species in Maine, thriving across the state’s diverse landscape. This large, all-black member of the corvid family is one of the most successful and intelligent birds in the Northern Hemisphere. Maine is part of the raven’s extensive North American range. Seeing or hearing the raven is a distinct experience, as it is the world’s heaviest perching bird.
Key Differences Between Ravens and Crows
Distinguishing a Common Raven from the smaller American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) requires observing physical and behavioral markers. The primary difference is size; a raven’s body mass is nearly double that of a crow, with a wingspan reaching up to five feet. When perched, a raven’s beak is noticeably thicker and more curved than a crow’s, and it has prominent, shaggy throat feathers called hackles.
Observing the birds in flight provides reliable identification features. A raven’s tail appears wedge-shaped or diamond-shaped when spread due to its longer central feathers. In contrast, the crow’s tail is fan-shaped or rounded. Ravens are known for their buoyant, graceful flight, frequently soaring and gliding on thermals with minimal flapping.
Crows fly with more rapid and consistent wingbeats, often described as a “rowing” motion. Vocalizations are the easiest way to tell the species apart, even from a distance. The raven produces a deep, resonant, low-frequency cronk or grawnk sound. The crow is known for its higher-pitched and sharper, classic caw-caw.
Where Ravens Live in Maine
While historically concentrated in Maine’s northern, more remote regions, the raven population has expanded considerably across the entire state. Ravens prefer habitats offering a mix of large, undisturbed forests and open feeding areas. They are common in mountainous regions, including the Appalachian Trail corridor, and along rocky coastlines.
Coastal areas provide ideal nesting sites on sea cliffs and reliable food sources. In the interior, ravens favor remote woods and alpine zones, building bulky stick nests high in tall conifers or on inaccessible rock ledges. They have also adapted to using human-made structures for nesting, such as high-tension transmission towers or cell towers.
Although ravens avoid the dense urban centers favored by crows, they can be found in rural settlements and near sources of refuse like landfills. This distribution reflects their need for secluded nesting locations and access to diverse food sources. The increase in second-growth forest and protected wilderness areas in Maine has facilitated the reoccupation of their former range.
Current Population Status and Ecology
The Common Raven experienced a significant decline across New England during the 1800s due to widespread deforestation and targeted persecution. Since the mid-20th century, the species has made a remarkable recovery in Maine and the Northeast. Their population is now secure and increasing, and they are no longer considered a species of concern within the state.
Ravens are highly successful due to their opportunistic omnivorous diet and exceptional intelligence. They act as primary scavengers, feeding heavily on carrion, but their diet also includes small mammals, insects, eggs, and human refuse. This varied diet allows them to thrive across Maine’s changing seasons.
Their cognitive abilities are well-documented, demonstrating complex problem-solving skills, social learning, and play behavior, such as sliding down snowbanks. Juveniles often use a social strategy when finding large food sources, calling non-territorial ravens to a carcass to overwhelm the mated pair defending the area. Adaptability and intelligence have been major factors in their successful re-establishment throughout the state.