The common raven (Corvus corax) is a highly intelligent bird species found across the Northern Hemisphere. A baby raven has no universally accepted common name, unlike the young of many other bird species. The accepted terminology uses generic avian terms that describe the raven’s developmental state. Therefore, a young raven is appropriately referred to as a chick, a nestling, or a fledgling, depending on its age and independence level.
The Stages of a Young Raven’s Life
The earliest stage is the chick or nestling phase. Ravens are altricial, meaning they hatch blind, nearly featherless, and entirely dependent on their parents for warmth and food. This stage lasts for approximately 20 to 25 days after hatching, following an incubation period of about three weeks. Both adult ravens feed the growing young by regurgitating food stored in a throat pouch.
A young raven is called a fledgling once it has left the nest, a process that typically occurs around four to seven weeks after hatching. Although the fledgling is fully feathered and capable of taking its first flights, it is not yet independent. Fledglings remain dependent on their parents for food and protection for several weeks while honing their flying and foraging skills.
The broader term juvenile describes the young raven from the time it leaves the nest until it reaches full physical and reproductive maturity. Ravens have a prolonged developmental period, often taking three to four years to reach sexual maturity. During this stage, the young birds learn complex social behaviors and survival skills from their parents and other sub-adult ravens.
Identifying a Juvenile Raven
A juvenile raven can be distinguished from a mature adult by several key characteristics. The plumage of a juvenile is often duller and less glossy black compared to the sleek, iridescent feathers of an adult. Juveniles also lack the distinctive, elongated, shaggy throat feathers, known as hackles, that are prominent on mature ravens.
One reliable visual cue is the color of the eyes. Adult Common Ravens possess a dark brown or black iris, but a juvenile’s eyes are typically a blue-gray color. This eye color will gradually transition to dark brown as the bird matures into its first year. The juvenile’s beak structure also appears shorter and less massive than the adult’s heavy, robust bill.
In addition to appearance, the behavior of a juvenile is revealing. While adult ravens are known for their deep, resonant croaks, juveniles frequently emit a distinct, high-pitched, persistent screaming or begging call. Their flight may also appear less stable and graceful than the buoyant, soaring flight of an experienced adult.