The Common Raven has successfully re-established its presence and is now a recognized part of Massachusetts’s wildlife.
Raven Presence in Massachusetts
Common Ravens can be found throughout much of Massachusetts, having expanded their range significantly over recent decades. While historically concentrated in the more rugged, forested western parts of the state, their populations have steadily moved eastward. They are now observed in varied landscapes, including mountainous regions, extensive woodlands, and increasingly, suburban and even urban fringes.
These adaptable birds often utilize natural features such as cliffs and ledges for nesting and roosting. They also readily adopt human-made structures, including cell towers, bridges, and power plants, as suitable nesting sites. Their expansion into areas like the Worcester Plateau and Cape Cod demonstrates their flexibility. Ravens have been reported from nearly every county in Massachusetts.
Distinguishing Ravens from Crows
Differentiating between Common Ravens and American Crows is a frequent challenge for many observers, as both are large, black birds. Ravens are noticeably larger than crows, typically measuring 24-27 inches in length with a wingspan of 3.5-4 feet, making them comparable in size to a Red-tailed Hawk. Crows, in contrast, are smaller, around 17 inches long with a 2.5-foot wingspan, closer to the size of a pigeon.
Their calls offer one of the most reliable distinctions. Ravens produce a deep, guttural croaking sound, often described as a “gronk” or “kraa.” Crows, conversely, are known for their higher-pitched, familiar “caw-caw” call. Observing their flight patterns also provides clues; ravens tend to soar gracefully on air currents for extended periods with minimal flapping, often performing acrobatic maneuvers like barrel rolls. Crows typically engage in more consistent, rapid flapping and rarely soar.
When seen in flight, the shape of their tails is a key identifier. Ravens display a wedge-shaped or diamond-shaped tail, where the middle feathers are longer. Crows, on the other hand, have a fan-shaped or rounded tail, with feathers of roughly equal length. Other visual cues include the raven’s larger, more robust bill and shaggy throat feathers, known as hackles, which are often visible even from a distance. Crows have a more slender bill and smoother throat feathers.
Raven Ecology in Massachusetts
Common Ravens are highly intelligent members of the corvid family, demonstrating sophisticated problem-solving abilities, tool use, and complex communication. They are known to form long-term pair bonds and exhibit various social behaviors, including cooperative foraging and vocalizations that convey specific information.
As omnivorous and opportunistic feeders, ravens consume a wide array of food items, reflecting what is readily available in their environment. Their diet in Massachusetts includes carrion, such as roadkill and deer carcasses, small mammals like shrews, chipmunks, and squirrels, as well as birds, their eggs, and nestlings. They also supplement their diet with insects, fish, frogs, and even human-derived food sources like garbage.
Nesting habits involve building large, bulky nests, often exceeding three feet in diameter, primarily from sticks. Both parents participate in nest construction and care for their young, with clutches typically ranging from three to seven eggs.
The Common Raven’s conservation status in Massachusetts is positive. After disappearing as a breeding species by the mid-1800s due to extensive deforestation and unregulated hunting, their population began to rebound in the late 20th century. Their adaptability to changing landscapes and protection by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act have contributed to their increasing numbers and expanding range.