Luke W. Peebles 

Wildlife Specialist 

USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services 

Crawford, Nebraska 

 

Jack O. Spencer, Jr. 

Supervisory Wildlife Biologist

USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

Reno, Nevada

 

Human-Wildlife Conflicts

Common ravens (Corvus corax; hereafter 

ravens; Figure 1) are native to the United 

States. They belong to the Family Corvidae 

which also includes crows, jays, and 

magpies. Ravens are very similar in 

appearance to the more widespread 

American crow, but can be distinguished 

by their slightly larger size, wedge-shaped 

tail, and hoarser call. 

Highly intelligent birds, ravens cause a 

variety of conflicts with people and often 

become habituated to management tools 

and techniques used to prevent damage. 

Raven damage to agriculture includes 

feeding on corn and other grains, damage 

to fruit such as cherries, apples or melons, 

and preying on newborn livestock. They 

also prey upon endangered, threatened, 

and sensitive species, impacting the 

conservation and recovery of some 

populations. Their large roosts can be a 

nuisance in urban and suburban areas. 

Wildlife Damage Management 

Technical Series

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service

Wildlife Services

February 2020 Common Ravens

Figure 1. Common raven (Corvus corax).

Quick Links

Human-Wildlife Conflicts 1

Damage Identification 3

Management Methods 3

Economics 8

Species Overview 8

Legal Status 12

Glossary & Key Words 13

Resources 14

Appendix 17
Livestock and Agriculture

Ravens prey on newborn livestock, especially newborn 

lambs, calves, and goats, by mobbing and attacking an 

individual. Ravens also eat fowl and their eggs, including 

chickens, ducks, guineas, and geese. The amount of 

depredation varies from ranch to ranch, and multiple 

ravens are usually responsible. Losses are incurred from 

death and veterinary services to injured livestock.

Ravens also impact farming practices. Ravens pick out 

seeds in ground crops, such as alfalfa and wheat. Nut and 

fruit crops are also susceptible to raven damage. Ravens 

also have been known to peck and destroy irrigation piping 

and drip lines resulting in irrigation damage and preventing 

the flow of water to crops.

Sensitive, Threatened and Endangered Species

Ravens impact the recovery of sensitive, threatened, and 

endangered species, including desert tortoises (Gopherus 

agassizii), California least terns (Sterna antillarum browni), 

snowy plovers (Charadrius nivosus), piping plovers 

(Charadrius melodus), California condors (Gymnogyps 

californianus), marbled murrelets (Brachyramphus 

marmoratus), San Clemente loggerhead shrikes (Lanius 

ludovicianus mearnsi), sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) 

and greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; 

hereafter sage-grouse), through their depredation on these 

species’ eggs and young. In all cases, the combination of 

fragmented habitats, limited endangered species 

populations, and large numbers of ravens creates 

situations whereby even a few raven depredations 

significantly impact recovery efforts. The northern spotted 

owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) is possibly another species 

affected by raven egg depredation; ravens have been 

observed harassing active nest sites. 

Methods of raven depredation vary by prey species. 

Ravens kill juvenile desert tortoises by breaking the 

carapace and exposing the soft tissues underneath. 

Ravens depredate bird nests by eating nestlings and eggs. 

Ravens are highly successful at distracting the nesting 

females in order to steal eggs. Videography in Nevada has 

shown ravens working together to steal sage-grouse eggs; 

one raven causes the female sage-grouse to lunge at it as 

the other raven takes eggs from the nest. 

Human Health and Safety

Ravens, especially in the winter months, tend to roost in 

large numbers (hundreds of birds) on and near heated 

industrial plants and other artificial structures (i.e., 

overpasses, railroad trestles, powerlines; Figure 2). During 

the nesting season, ravens can be aggressive towards 

people that approach their nests. Ravens deposit fecal 

matter in high quantities (sometimes up to several inches 

deep) in areas where they roost and nest, as well as on or 

in machinery, creating a health hazard. Ravens, their 

nests, and feces can cause power outages on transmission 

Figure 2. Ravens have been documented roosting on artificial structures, such as overpasses and heated industrial plants.

Page 2 WDM Technical Series─Common Ravens
lines. In some instances, ravens have caused power 

outages that result in rangeland fires and/or loss of power 

to residents.

Ravens, like other corvids, are carriers of West Nile virus 

(WNV), a potentially fatal disease to humans. Mosquitoes 

spread WNV from infected birds to people. Ravens 

themselves are susceptible to WNV, and human outbreaks 

have been attributed to corvid outbreaks in the same 

location. The discovery of numerous dead ravens with no 

apparent alternative cause of death (e.g. damage 

management activities, predation, and electrocution) can 

signal a potential WNV outbreak in the local human 

population. 

Damage Identification

Livestock

When attacking young livestock, ravens typically peck 

softer tissues and openings, including the eyes, tongues, 

anal and urogenital openings, and the umbilical cord 

(Figure 3). Raven predation can be distinguished from 

raven scavenging by looking for signs of hemorrhaging and 

blood loss on the carcass. Whitewash on the carcass and 

raven tracks may provide additional evidence of raven 

depredation.

Sensitive, Threatened, and Endangered Species

A sign of raven depredation on desert tortoises include 

carapaces with holes pecked out of them; these are often 

found below raven nests. Signs of raven depredation on 

least tern and other colonial nesting seabird eggs can be 

observed fairly easily due to the dense spacing and high 

visibility of seabird nests. Sage-grouse nest depredation is 

more difficult to identify due to the concealed and isolated 

nesting locations of sage-grouse, and raven depredation 

signs (eggshells) are similar to those left by mammalian 

predators.

Human Health and Safety

Identifying raven roosting and nesting sites for damage 

management purposes may help reduce potential disease 

spread and other human health and safety concerns. The 

best way to discover raven roosting locations is to identify 

flight patterns and follow ravens to the roosts during the 

last few hours of daylight. Night surveying with lights is also 

an effective method for locating raven roosts. 

Finding raven nests can be challenging, but the presence 

of the raven pair usually gives away the nest’s location; 

once disturbed, nesting ravens will cackle, circle, and dive 

at intruders. Copious amounts of excrement/whitewash 

accumulate on roosting and nesting structures, further 

identifying these sites. In some instances, raven nests are 

located near or within roosting structures.

Management Methods

Habitat Modification

Raven populations are positively influenced by human 

development and resources; therefore, habitat

U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 3

Figure 3. Lambs killed by ravens.
modification is often proposed to deter raven use and 

minimize conflict. Baling up and burying garbage, installing 

dumpsters with secure lids, and removing or burying dead 

livestock reduces the availability of human-related food 

sources for ravens. Removing abandoned and defunct 

houses, sheds, and barns eliminates potential nesting 

structures, and may be especially effective in areas devoid 

of alternative nesting substrate (e.g., contiguous sagebrush valleys). 

Effigies 

An effigy is a full or partial representation or likeness of an 

object. Effigies are effective raven deterrents if used 

properly. The best effigy for dispersing ravens is a fresh 

raven carcass. Ravens are curious birds, and artificial 

effigies are eventually pecked at and rendered useless. 

Effigies should be hung upside down with wings 

outstretched from boundary fences, latticework, or other 

high, visible locations in the area needing protection. If 

possible, place the effigy in a discrete location to avoid 

observation and possible tampering by the public. 

Exclusion

Exclusionary devices, such as spikes and wires, on power 

poles are not effective at preventing raven use; ravens 

actually use these devices as nest substrate. It is also 

impractical to place exclusionary devices or netting on 

structures to prevent roosting due to the large surface area 

(I-beams, lattices, framework, etc.) that must be covered.

Frightening Devices

Frightening devices modify bird behavior and discourage 

birds from feeding, roosting, or gathering. Novel sounds 

and visual stimuli may cause avoidance responses in birds 

and offer temporary protection from damage for a few days 

or weeks. Frightening devices used to disperse ravens 

include propane cannons, lasers, scarecrows, and flashing 

lights (Figure 4). Constant harassment of ravens may 

encourage them to disperse from a small area. However, 

constant use of frightening devices at industrial plants, 

landfills, and other areas will likely result in habituation, if 

the location, timing, and sounds for these devices are not 

changed frequently. Combining frightening devices with 

lethal means (shooting, etc.) may improve their 

effectiveness.

Fertility Control

There are no registered fertility control products for use 

with ravens.

Page 4 WDM Technical Series─Common Ravens

Figure 4. Frightening devices used to disperse ravens include lasers (left) and propane cannons. Modified soft-catch traps are also 

used to live trap the birds (far right).
Nest Removal

Removing raven nests can help reduce raven damage in 

limited areas by eliminating the need for adult ravens to 

provision for chicks. Ravens typically do not re-nest, but 

when they do, their nests are rarely productive. The best 

time to remove nests is when eggs are present. Locating 

raven nests can be challenging. However, breeding ravens 

tend to stay within a few kilometers of their nest and will 

return to it often. 

Be sure to obtain the proper U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

(USFWS) permit to destroy active nests; active nests can 

be removed with a Special Purpose (50 CFR 21.27), or 

Depredation (50 CFR 21.41) permits, depending on the 

circumstance(s). Inactive nests can be destroyed without a 

permit. 

Repellents

Chicken or quail eggs infused with a repellent (e.g., 

methiocarb) have successfully deterred ravens from eating 

eggs of endangered California least terns. Treated eggs are 

made accessible to ravens by placing them within the tern 

colony’s nesting grounds prior to the start of the terns’ 

nesting season. After eating treated eggs, ravens no longer 

forage on eggs in the treated colonies. In such cases, 

territorial ravens that eat methiocarb-treated eggs also 

defend their territories from intruders, further preventing 

nest depredation. Such aversion measures are impractical 

for some species, such as sage-grouse, whose nesting 

ranges cover large areas. 

Other repellents being explored include the “techno-tort”TM

(Hardshell Labs) which is an artificial replica of a juvenile 

desert tortoise. When pecked by ravens, the replica emits 

methyl anthranilate, a chemical derived from grape juice, 

that deters ravens.

Toxicants 

The toxicant compound registered as 3-chloro-4-

methylanine hydrochloride (also known as DRC-1339) is 

the only legal toxicant currently registered by the U.S. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use with ravens. 

DRC-1339 products are restricted use pesticides and are 

available only for use by USDA Wildlife Services employees 

or others under their direct supervision. The pesticide 

consists of 97 percent active ingredient powder mixed with 

warm potable water into either egg or meat cube baits. 

Baits not listed on the product’s label need Section 24(c) 

exemptions, which require approvals from individual 

states. 

DRC-1339 may be used to control ravens in the following 

locations:

 Rangelands and pasturelands where ravens prey upon 

livestock.

 Refuges or other areas where ravens prey upon the 

eggs and/or young of federally-designated threatened 

or endangered species, or upon the eggs and young of 

other species which federal or state wildlife agencies 

have determined to be in need of protection from nest 

predators due to documented declines and/or 

declines in nesting success.

 Within 7.6 meters (25 feet) of silage/fodder bags that 

have been damaged or are likely to be damaged by 

ravens.

Ravens are highly sensitive to the effects of DRC-1339 

(LD50=5.6mg/kg; LD50 refers to median lethal dose). 

DRC-1339 is a slow-acting toxicant, and a lethal dose 

causes a period of listlessness followed by 

unconsciousness and death from kidney damage.

The risk of DRC-1339 to non-target species is limited by 

the selection of various baits allowed on the label, 

treatment dilutions, and the number of bait sites. 

Selective baits, such as soft-boiled chicken eggs, can 

prevent consumption by certain non-target species. Many 

non-target species, such as diurnal raptors, are not 

particularly sensitive to DRC-1339 (LD50=100 to 500mg/

kg).

Ravens that eat DRC-1339 bait typically die at roost sites 1 

to 3 days following consumption. Ravens have been known 

to travel many miles from a DRC-1339 treatment site to 

roost sites. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 5
Page 6 WDM Technical Series─Common Ravens

Once DRC-1339 baits are prepared, they should be kept 

out of direct sunlight, heat or cold and used within the time 

constraints listed on the label to ensure their 

effectiveness. 

Before DRC-1339 baits can be applied, treatment sites 

must be monitored for evidence of any non-target activity 

and pre-baited (see specific DRC-1339 label instructions 

for these activities). Do not apply treated baits where there 

is a danger that threatened or endangered species will 

consume baits unless special precautions are taken to 

limit such exposures. Such precautions include monitoring 

baited sites and frightening away threatened or 

endangered species that otherwise might feed upon baits. 

Ravens tend to cache surplus food, so do not use more 

eggs than are needed for effective control. 

Pre-baiting

Pre-baiting involves placing placebo (or nontoxic) chicken 

eggs or meat-cube baits at proposed raven treatment sites 

to encourage the consumption of baits by targeted birds. 

Once ravens are consistently accessing and eating placebo 

baits at the sites, the placebo baits can be replaced with 

the DRC-1339 baits. Pre-baiting is crucial for an effective 

DRC-1339 raven program as outlined in the DRC-1339 

label. 

Pre-baiting helps the applicator determine a number of 

important factors including:

 The number of offending ravens present at the 

treatment location.

 The number of meat/egg baits needed to effectively 

treat problem birds.

 The optimal time of the day for bait consumption.

 The amount of time it takes for birds to eat the bait.

 Whether there are any non-target species in the 

treatment area. 

Once treated egg baits are placed at a treatment site, the 

area must be observed continuously from a distance 

(approximately 914 meters or 3,000 feet) in order to 

detect threatened or endangered species and other nontargets or protected animals likely to eat baits.

Trapping

Trapping ravens for damage management is impractical. 

However, live trapping and radio-tagging ravens can help 

gather information on foraging areas, nesting sites, and 

roost sites for damage management plans (Figure 5).

Trap ravens using soft-catch #11⁄2, #2, or #3 coil-spring 

traps (Figure 4). To minimize the risk of leg damage, 

removed the trap springs and replaced them with weaker 

ones. Applying heat to the springs will also weaken them. 

Pad the trap jaws with rubber, foam, or similar materials to 

reduce abrasion.

Ravens can be trapped in areas where they congregate, 

such as near dead animal pits, road-kill, or landfills. 

Observe common perching areas (fence posts, high ridges, 

etc.) in the area and set traps at these locations. If no 

suitable site is found, take a large bait, such as a roadkilled deer or livestock carcass, and place it in a known 

flight path of ravens. Allow the bait to be found and 

partially eaten by ravens, then set traps nearby. Trap 

placement is critical. Traps should be concealed and 

blended-in with the surroundings, and pan tension should 

be set low. Set traps 1 to 2 meters (4 to 6 feet) away from 

Figure 5. USDA Wildlife Services biologists attach a radio-transmitter on a 

raven. The bird will be released and followed to help locate foraging and 

roost sites.
the carcass and guide ravens to step on the traps using 

existing vegetation, rocks, sticks, and other structures. 

Ravens typically land away from a carcass and walk to it. 

This trap placement also minimizes catching magpies and 

eagles, which typically land on or next to the carcass.

Traps should be staked when on a perch or ledge or in a 

pole trap design to prevent falling and breaking of the 

raven’s leg. On level ground, traps can be weighted versus 

staked. 

Traps should be checked often, but constant monitoring is 

encouraged to minimize leg damage and the chance of 

predation. Traps should be set in low light conditions 

before ravens arrive to minimize disturbance and 

detection. If traps are set the day before, cover the traps 

with plywood or similar material to prevent other animals 

from getting captured or setting off the traps. When raven 

abundance is low (< 25 ravens), trapping is most 

productive in the twilight hours. When raven abundance is 

high, trapping can be conducted throughout the day with 

high capture probability. 

Raven trapping is most effective during the winter, when 

ravens are congregated at roosts, carcasses, and landfills. 

When concealing traps in snow, make sure to use a dirt 

sifter that remains at outdoor temperature (i.e., outside of 

an enclosed vehicle) when sifting dirt over the traps; 

otherwise, the traps may freeze down and not catch 

ravens.

Shooting

Lethal removal of ravens requires a USFWS depredation 

permit. Raven removal may also require additional state 

and municipality permits. The USFWS depredation permit 

requires that non-toxic/non-lead ammunition is used for 

the removal of problem birds. The USFWS depredation 

permit also states that ravens cannot be decoyed, called or 

coaxed to damage sites for removal. 

Shooting ravens requires the use of non-lead ammunition. 

Non-lead shotgun shells are effective for removing ravens 

at close distances (<45 meters or <150 feet ). Larger steel 

shot sizes of 4, 5, and 6 are recommended. Because of the 

raven’s uncanny ability to stay out of shotgun range or 

other human activity, centerfire rifles loaded with non-lead 

bullets can be an effective method for targeting ravens at 

long distances. Shooting is not practical or desirable as a 

method for reducing large numbers of ravens.

Disposal

Check local and state regulations regarding carcass 

disposal.

Disease Surveillance 

Because ravens, crows, and other corvids are susceptible 

to various diseases and their territories encompass large 

geographical areas, the birds make good sentinels for 

disease surveillance. Ravens collected as part of wildlife 

damage management efforts have been tested for the 

presence of West Nile virus, and St. Louis and western 

equine encephalitis. Research at Wildlife Services’ 

National Wildlife Research Center indicates that American 

crows may play a role in the spread of infectious chronic 

wasting disease prions since the pathogens can pass 

through the birds’ digestive systems and be deposited via 

their excrement in new locations.

Agencies responsible for disease surveillance and 

monitoring, such as state wildlife agencies, animal disease 

testing laboratories, USDA Wildlife Services and Veterinary 

Services, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 

should be notified if encephalitis or other diseases are 

detected in sampled birds. Safety gloves and appropriate 

personal protection equipment (PPE) should be worn at all 

times when handling birds, and the handler should avoid 

contact with blood.

New and Developing Methods

Advancements in technology allows the use of unmanned 

aircraft systems (also known as drones) to inspect raven 

nests. Drones can be equipped with high resolution video 

cameras and small, high-pressure spray guns to spray 

raven eggs with food grade corn oil (Figure 6). The coating 

of corn oil prevents oxygen from permeating the egg shells, 

thus preventing eggs from hatching. Using drones to oil 

raven eggs could be an effective method, especially for 

nests located hundreds of feet above ground around 

electrical power transmission towers or building structures. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 7
Economics

Raven damage reported to USDA’s Wildlife Services 

program in 2018 was estimated at $5,328,456. From 

2014 to 2018, the estimated cost of reported damages 

was $15,169,129; however, not all raven damage in the 

United States is reported to Wildlife Services. Damage 

costs associated with raven predation to various 

threatened, endangered, migratory and upland game birds 

is often not reported. Raven damage reported in Wildlife 

Services’ management information system (MIS) indicates 

most damage by ravens is associated with livestock. For 

example in 2018, 77.31% of reported raven-related 

damage was to agriculture (Figure 7).

Species Overview

Identification

Ravens, crows, jays, and magpies belong to the Family 

Corvidae in the Order Passeriformes (songbirds). More 

than 120 corvid species occur through the world.

Physical Description

Common ravens are stocky, compact birds weighing 

between 650 and 1,700 grams (1.4 to 3.75 lbs.), making 

them the largest songbird species. Males and females look 

similar and identifying gender can be difficult. Males are 

slightly larger than females. Their wingspan is between 

115 and 120 cm (45 to 47 inches). 

Common ravens are entirely black as adults. Juveniles are 

identified by a brownish hue on their feathers and a pink 

mouth lining. Rarities, such as albinism, do occur (Figure 

8). Shaggy mane feathers line the throat, and become 

more prominent with age. A raven’s bill is thick, curved, 

and strong. 

Page 8 WDM Technical Series─Common Ravens

Figure 6. Unmanned aircraft systems or drones may be useful for inspecting 

and treating raven nests.

Figure 7. In 2018, USDA Wildlife Services’ records show more than 70% of 

reported raven damage impacted agriculture.
Differentiating between crows and ravens is relatively easy 

at close distances, and with practice, at long distances. 

Ravens are much larger (about 1.5 times larger) than 

crows (Figure 9). The bill of a raven is thicker, longer, and 

more curved than a crow. In flight, ravens have a wedge 

shaped tail, whereas the crow has a more rounded tail 

(Figure 10). Ravens tend to soar more and flap less than 

crows. 

Range

The common raven is one of the most widely distributed 

birds in the world, and is found on every continent, 

including the Arctic and Antarctic. 

In the United States, raven populations have increased 

dramatically in the past few decades. For example, in the 

Central Valley of California, trends show population 

increases of more than 7,600% in less than 30 years. 

Ravens are notably absent from the Great Plains and much 

of the Midwestern United States (Figure 11). 

Voice and Sounds

The typical call of a raven is a throaty croak repeated 

multiple times. Dominant female ravens make popping 

noises. During the mating season, raven pairs warble at 

each other. Ravens emit a higher pitched shrill call when 

chasing intruders. When disturbed, ravens make deep, 

raspy, honking sounds. 

Reproduction

Ravens start their courtship displays in the fall and winter 

seasons. Courtship behavior includes bill knocking and 

preening with mates, aerial displays, and numerous 

vocalizations. Pairs then build a nest in a suitable area or 

use a nest built in prior years. Nest locations include, but 

are not limited to: isolated trees/stands of trees, rock 

outcroppings, abandoned buildings, communication 

towers, power substations, billboards, and bridge trestles. 

Nests are constructed from a suite of materials, such as 

sticks, baling twine, wire, net wrap, bones, mud, and 

animal fur. The nest bowl is 22 to 30 cm (9 to 12 inches) in 

diameter and 12 to 15 cm (5 to 6 inches) deep. Ravens 

also steal nesting sites from raptors (e.g., Ferruginous 

hawks) for their own use.

Raven eggs are often laid in clutches of 3 to 10 eggs. 

Replacement clutches occur if the first clutch is damaged, 

but they are not usually successful. Incubation lasts 

between 20 to 25 days, and upon hatching, the chicks are 

naked, blind, and helpless. The chicks gain weight 

exponentially with time, become fully feathered within five 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 9

Figure 8. A rare albino raven. Figure 9. A Common raven (left) and American crow.
weeks, and leave the nest shortly thereafter (Figure 12). 

Raven family groups tend to remain together until the 

fledglings’ first winter. Ravens defend nests from intruders 

by cackling and diving, and they have been known to even 

drop projectiles at intruders.

Population Status

Common raven populations are currently increasing 

throughout the majority of the species’ range and its 

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 

conservation status is of “least concern.” 

Ravens typically live between 10 to 15 years in the wild. 

The longest living, banded wild raven was 23 years old. The 

oldest known raven in captivity lived to be 80 years old. 

One raven at the Tower of London lived to be 44 years old.

Ravens have few natural predators. Golden eagles 

opportunistically take ravens, along with owls, hawks, and 

other birds of prey. Reports of attacks by mammalian 

predators are few and include species such as coyotes, 

lynx, and mountain lions. Most successful predation events 

are on juvenile ravens. More common mortality sources 

are human related, and include vehicle collisions and 

powerline surges. 

Page 10 WDM Technical Series─Common Ravens

Figure 11. Range map for common raven.

Figure 10. Size comparison between common raven and American crow.
Habitat

Ravens occupy a wide variety of habitats, including 

coniferous and deciduous forests, sagebrush, beaches, 

tundra, and desert areas. Ravens are usually residents of a 

particular area as adults; juveniles may establish their 

territories away from where they were raised. Ravens’ 

territories expand in the spring and summer months and 

contract during the winter months. 

Behavior

Ravens are very acrobatic in flight performing barrel rolls, 

flying upside down, and taking steep dives. Ravens 

oftentimes exhibit play-like behavior. They have been 

documented repeatedly rolling down hills and slanted 

rooftops, and they also drop and catch items in mid-air with 

other ravens. Ravens cache food once a large source is 

located, and fake cache to mislead other ravens and 

protect the true cache.

Ravens typically roost together at night. Roost sites include 

bridges, industrial plants, abandoned buildings large 

stands of trees and brush, cliffs, and mining towers. 

Roosts are used throughout the year, yet they are most 

heavily used during the winter, likely due to the shelter and 

heat that roosts provide. Communal raven roosts vary 

considerably in size, ranging from tens of birds to more 

than a thousand individuals. Research shows that ravens 

communicate information, such as food locations, to one 

another at common roost sites. Roosts remain in the same 

location year after year unless they are disturbed, and 

even then, new roost locations are typically within a few 

miles of the old one. If multiple roost sites are within 50 

miles of each other, ravens are known to frequently switch 

roosts sites. 

Ravens are highly intelligent, adept learners and problem 

solvers. Ravens have “reeled in” food suspended with 

string from a branch, and they have constructed hooks 

from wire to retrieve food in concealed locations. Ravens 

cache food and hide it from other ravens. They are also 

capable of being taught words when rewarded with food. 

Food Habits

Ravens are opportunistic foragers, eating a wide variety of 

food items. Their diet includes small mammals, eggs, birds, 

insects, human garbage, plant matter, reptiles, road-killed 

ungulates, and livestock carcasses. Ravens are bold 

enough to attack in groups and kill newborn livestock. 

Ravens also kill and eat other predators. In Canada, an 

entire den of artic fox kits was killed and taken away by a 

pair of ravens. Individuals employ several methods of 

U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 11

Figure 12. Common raven nest with chicks showing progression of growth over approximately 3 weeks .
obtaining food, including frequent scanning for dead 

animals, stealing from conspecifics (e.g., eagles and 

coyotes), and following predators and farm equipment. 

Seasonality also determines forage availability. Ravens cue 

in on agricultural activity (e.g., calving, lambing, planting) 

and congregate in these areas due to increased foraging 

opportunities. Also, harsh winter conditions force ravens to 

congregate at highways and landfills in western states to 

obtain easier meals. 

Legal Status

Common ravens are classified as a migratory bird species 

and are protected by federal and, in most cases, state 

laws. In the United States, ravens may only be lethally 

removed or live trapped with a permit issued by the 

USFWS. Occasionally, an additional permit is required from 

the state wildlife management agency. Permits are issued 

only after dispersal and other non-lethal damage 

management methods have been employed and proven 

ineffective at resolving the conflicts. No federal permit is 

needed to frighten or mechanically exclude ravens. 

However, always check state and federal regulations for 

updated before beginning research or management 

activities.

Page 12 WDM Technical Series─Common Ravens
U.S. Department of Agriculture Page 13

Acknowledgements

Figure 1. Photo by Jack Spencer Jr., USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

Figure 2. Photos by Luke Peebles, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

Figure 3. Photo by USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

Figure 4. Photos by USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services, Daniel Lile (U.S. Air Force), and Brian Washburn (USDA-APHIS-

 Wildlife Services)

Figure 5. Photo by Luke Peebles, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

Figure 6. Photo by Mark Lutman, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

Figure 7. Graphic by USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

Figure 8. Photo by Ben Miller, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

Figure 9. Photo by Jack Spencer Jr., USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

Figure 10. Graphic by Canadian Wildlife Federation

Figure 11. Map by The Birds of North America Online (A. Poole, Ed.). Ithaca: Cornell Lab of Ornithology 

Figure 12. Photos by Luke Peebles, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services

We thank Jimmy Taylor, Michael Yeary, and Patrick Ryan for providing critical reviews of this manuscript. 

Glossary

Addling: Shaking of a fertilized egg to prevent embryo 

development. 

Corvid: A bird belonging to the Family Corvidae; stout-billed 

songbirds including crows, ravens, magpies, and jays. 

Effigy: A likeness of a animal. An effigy can be an actual 

animal carcass, a carcass that has been taxidermically 

prepared, or an artificial likeness. 

Mobbing: When a group of birds surround and attack a 

predator or other threat to drive it off. 

Roost: Location where birds rest or sleep either during the 

day or at night. 

Keywords

Corvus corax, Least tern, Livestock, Predation, Raven, 

Sage-grouse, Tortoise

Citation

Peebles, L.W. and J.O Spencer Jr. 2020. Common Ravens. 

Wildlife Damage Management Technical Series. USDA, 

APHIS, WS National Wildlife Research Center. Fort Collins, 

Colorado. 17p.

Disclaimer

Wildlife can threaten the health and safety of you and 

others in the area. Use of damage prevention and control 

methods also may pose risks to humans, pets, livestock, 

other non-target animals, and the environment. Be aware 

of the risks and take steps to reduce or eliminate those 

risks. 

Some methods mentioned in this document may not be 

legal, permitted, or appropriate in your area. Read and 

follow all pesticide label recommendations and local 

requirements. Check with personnel from your state 

wildlife agency and local officials to determine if methods 

are acceptable and allowed. 

Mention of any products, trademarks, or brand names 

does not constitute endorsement, nor does omission 

constitute criticism. 
Page 14 WDM Technical Series─Common Ravens

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Appendix 

Page 17

Damage Management Methods for Common Ravens

 

 

Type of Control 

 

Available Management Options 

Exclusion Often ineffective or impractical

Fertility Control None available

Frightening Devices  Effigies

 Pyrotechnics and propane cannons

 Lasers and flashing lights

Habitat Modification  Bale and bury garbage

 Install dumpsters with secure lids

 Remove or bury dead livestock

 Remove abandoned houses, sheds, and barns to eliminate nesting structures

Nest Treatment Allowed with proper Federal and State permits; Egg oiling or addling and nest destruction

Repellents  Methiocarb (EPA Reg. No. 56228-33)

 Methyl anthranilate (food-grade grape flavoring agent)

Shooting Allowed with proper Federal and State permits; Requires use of non-toxic/non-lead ammunition

Toxicants Compound DRC-1339 Concentrate (EPA Reg. No. 56228-29, 56228-63); May only be used by USDA 

Wildlife Services employees or people working under their supervision. 

Trapping Allowed with proper Federal and State permits; Live-trapping with modified soft-catch #11⁄2, #2 or #3 

coil-spring traps