Raven

Corvus corax, member of the Passerine? family of birds. Ravens are large black birds with iridescent feathers. At maturity, they are between 24 to 27 inches in length, with wings that are double that. Ravens differ from their cousins the crows by having larger and heavier beaks, and with a deeper and more varied caw.

Ravens can thrive in varied climates. They range from the Arctic? to the deserts of North Africa, and to islands in the Pacific Ocean. Most ravens prefer wooded areas near coasts and in mountains for their nesting sites.

Mated ravens tend to nest together for life. The pair will build a nest on cliff ledges or in trees. The nest is made of whatever materials may have caught the builders' eyes. Ravens are known for their love of shiny objects. The female will lay four to seven pale green, brown-blotched eggs. Both parents keep the eggs warm, and take turns feeding the chicks.

Ravens have a varied diet. They will eat anything edible, including insects, berries, fruit, other birds' eggs, carrion, and the garbage from human homes.

The raven has long been of interest to creators of myths and legends. The raven was used as a symbol of rampage by the Vikings, who loved to paint them on their sails. In Norse mythology, the ravens Hugin and Munin sat on the god Odin's shoulders, and told him the news of the world. Natives of north-western North America consider Raven the Creator of the World.

Edgar Allan Poe also used the raven as a supernatural messenger in his poem "The Raven".