Brown-necked raven

Thebrown-necked raven(Corvus ruficollis) is a larger bird (52–56 cm in length) than thecarrion crowthough not as large as thecommon raven.It has similar proportions to the common raven but the bill is not so large or deep and the wings tend to be a little more pointed in profile. The head and throat are a distinct brownish-black giving the bird itsEnglishname, while the rest of the plumage is black glossed with purple, blue or purplish-blue. Like thecommon raven,thick-billed ravenandwhite-necked raven,it is one of the larger raven species. The feathers of this species often fade quite quickly to a brownish black (even the truly black feathers) and the bird can look distinctly brown by the time it moults. The feet, legs and bill are black. Thedwarf ravenwas formerly considered a subspecies (Corvus ruficollis edithae) but this bird now appears to be closer to thepied crow(C. albus) than this species.

Brown-necked raven
Near Jebil National Park,Tunisia
Conservation status
Least Concern(IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Corvidae
Genus:	Corvus
Species:	C. ruficollis
Binomial name
Corvus ruficollis Lesson,1831
Distribution map
Synonyms
Corvus umbrinusSundevall

Distribution and habitat

This species has a wide range across virtually the whole ofNorth Africa,down as far asKenya,theArabian Peninsulaand up into theGreater Middle Eastand southernIran.It lives in a predominantlydesertenvironment visiting oases andpalmgroves.

Food consists of a wide range of items, including carrion, snakes, locusts and other grasshoppers, stranded fish (in coastal areas), grain stolen from bags, dates and other fruits. It is quite fearless when not persecuted but is quick to become wary and shy if too much attention is paid to it. A 2009 Israeli study showed the species to cooperatively hunt lizards, with birds blocking exits while others hunted.

Nesting

The nest is very much like the common raven's, and may be found in trees, on cliffs or in old and ruined buildings. The dwarf raven seems to prefer thorn trees for its nest building. There are usually 4–5 eggs laid and incubated over 20–22 days. The young usually leave the nest by the 37th or 38th day and can fly well by 42–45 days.

Vocalisation

The voice is very similar to the common raven's consisting mainly of croaks, though higher in pitch; and a harsh"karr-karr-karr".In flight, it will utter a"kuerk-kuerk"call. Like all corvids, the Brown-necked raven is capable of vocal mimicry, however this behavior is mostly recorded in captivity and, although rarely, in the wild.

Gallery

• 
  Corvus ruficollisfrom United Arab Emirates
• 
  Two brown-necked ravens in Egypt
• 
  Corvus ruficollis- (MHNT)

External links

• Media related toCorvus ruficollisat Wikimedia Commons
• Explore Species: Brown-necked ravenat eBird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)