Chihuahuan Raven

Overview

Chihuahuan Raven: Small raven, entirely metallic blue-black except for inconspicuous white neck feathers which are infrequently displayed. Eyes are pale brown. Alternates between several deep wing beats and short to long glides. Glides from altitude to perch or ground. Soars on thermals, updrafts.

Range and Habitat

Chihuahuan Raven: Breeds from southern Arizona, southeastern Colorado, and western Kansas southward into Mexico. Spends winters in southern part of breeding range. Preferred habitats include arid grasslands, plains, and deserts.

INTERESTING FACTS

Some pairs may maintain two nests and use them in alternate years. Unlike most crows, the Chihuahuan Raven frequently reuses nests in subsequent years.
Unpredictable and harsh environmental conditions typical of their breeding habitat may cause non-breeding individuals to choose to help breeding pairs some seasons.
A group of ravens has many collective nouns, including a "bazaar", "constable", "rant", "storytelling", and "unkindness" of ravens.

The Chihuahuan Raven is native to the United States and Mexico. This bird has a range of nearly 1.5 million square kilometers. The population of the Chihuahuan Raven is thought to be nearly 800,000 individual birds. Currently, the Chihuahuan Raven is rated as Least Concern. In 2000, this bird species was rated as Lower Risk but was downgraded due to no immediate concern regarding the Chihuahuan Raven population. The population of this bird has shown no severe decrease.