British wildlife recordings

Corvus corax : Common Raven - Corvidae

  • Add a note
    Log in to add a note at the bottom of this page.
  • All notes
  • My notes
  • Hide notes
Please click to leave a note

The British Library Board acknowledges the intellectual property rights of those named as contributors to this recording and the rights of those not identified.
Legal and ethical usage »

Tags (top 25):
(No tags found for this item)

What is this? Log in to add a term that describes this item and help make it easier to find.

  • Type

    sound

  • Duration

    00:01:48

  • Shelf mark

    W1CDR0001425 BD14

  • Subjects

    Birds

  • Recording date

    1961/04/26

  • Recording locations

    Torrington, Devon: OS Grid Reference(284500,90500)

  • Recordist

    Shove, Lawrence

  • Species

    Raven, Corvus corax

  • Description

    The call of the raven, recorded at Torrington, Devon. The raven is the largest of the crow family, dwarfing even the buzzard in size. It has a large heavy bill and thick neck with long throat feathers, which give it a shaggy mane-like appearance. It is commonly seen gliding and soaring over mountains, cliffs, or moorland landscapes, with a powerful flight and distinctive wedge-shaped tail. It will also perform impressive aerobatics, flipping onto its back and tumbling fast downwards while calling. The call is a much deeper and throatier 'croar-croar' than other members of the crow family. Pairs of ravens will defend territories throughout the year and will often reuse nest sites. Nesting begins very early in the year, with eggs being laid in February usually on a cliff ledge. Many myths and legends surround the raven and it is often associated with death. Since it readily feeds on carrion, this is perhaps hardly surprising. However, it will also feed on mammals, birds, and eggs, and as a result has been persecuted by gamekeepers and farmers. Once widespread across Britain, it is now restricted to the west of the country, although it is making a good recovery in Wales. Currently there are around 7,000 pairs breeding in Britain.

  • Metadata record:

    View full metadata for this item