Raven, common name applied to about ten large birds of the crow family.
Best known is the common raven, found throughout much of the northern
hemisphere, from the high Arctic islands of Canada to the deserts of North
Africa. It is the largest of all songbirds, attaining a length of more than
60 cm (more than 24 in). Because the bird is intelligent, social, and
highly adaptable, it has long been a subject of legend and folklore. It has
a wedge-shaped tail and is satiny black, with a metallic, bluish sheen. The
bill is long, powerful, and slightly hooked, and the feet are strong. The
common raven is omnivorous, feeding on seeds, fruit, small birds and
mammals, and even carrion. It nests on high trees or cliffs; the female
lays four to eight spotted, light-blue eggs in a clutch, and both parents
feed the young.Scientific classification: Ravens belong to the family Corvidae of the order Passeriformes. The common raven is classified as Corvus corax.