Common raven

Corvus corax
Common raven
Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
Common raven
Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons
Common raven
Photo: Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA, Wikimedia Commons

About

The Common raven is the largest passerine bird and a constant companion for tourists in the Carpathians. It lives in all Carpathian countries — from the valleys to the highest peaks, and it can be seen over the polonynas and ridges, probably more often than any other large bird.

The Common raven is entirely black, with a purple-blue metallic sheen, a massive beak, a shaggy throat, and a wedge-shaped tail. It is noticeably larger than the carrion crow and jackdaws, and in flight, it resembles a small raptor. Its voice is a deep, guttural 'caw' or 'croak' that carries far in the mountains.

Common ravens are very intelligent birds. They live in pairs that stay together for many years and defend their territory together. Over the ridges, you can see real aerial games: the birds tumble in flight, dive, and play with the wind. Common ravens eat everything: carrion, rodents, insects, eggs, berries, and leftovers from tourists' meals, so they come quite close to campsites and Kolibas.

The Common raven builds its nest from thick branches on a rock or high tree and is one of the first to breed — already at the end of winter, when there is still snow in the mountains.

The Common raven is not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. Please do not leave food and trash on the polonynas: fed ravens raid the nests of other birds.

Where in the Carpathians

fewermore19 861 records in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries
Slovakia · Poland · Romania · Czechia · Hungary · Ukraine · Serbia · Austria · BG
Mountain ranges
Börzsöny and Cserhát, Western Tatras, Bucegi Mountains, Moravian-Silesian Beskids, High Tatras, Bükk, Bieszczady, Volovec Mountains, Piatra Craiului, Slovak Ore Mountains
Altitude belts
Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m)

When to see it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sightings

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Protection and rules

Not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Red Data Book of Ukraine

FAQ

What is that large black bird circling over the polonynas?

Most often, it is the Common raven — the largest passerine bird with a wedge-shaped tail and a deep 'caw' voice. It lives from the valleys to the highest peaks of the Carpathians.

How does the Common raven differ from the carrion crow?

The Common raven is noticeably larger, entirely black with a metallic sheen, has a massive beak, a shaggy throat, and a wedge-shaped tail.

Recorded nearby

Pasichna village – Mount Chortka – Zelena villageModerateOne-dayMarkedPasichna village Zelena villagevia Mount ChortkaElevation profile520–1 224 m15.8 kmascent 759 m≈ 5.5 h walkingBerezniky village, via Mount Ivolove, Mount Stiy and Mount Zeneva to Vovchyi villageHardMulti-dayBerezniky village to Vovchyi villagevia Mount Ivolove, Mount Stiy +1Elevation profile288–1 681 m28.5 kmascent 1 436 m≈ 10 h walkingVovchyi village, via Mount Zeneva to Mount StiyHardTwo-dayMarkedVovchyi village to Mount Stiyvia Mount ZenevaElevation profile321–1 671 m22.9 kmascent 1 350 m≈ 8.5 h walkingMount Stinka – Sil villageEasyOne-dayMarkedMount Stinka Sil villageElevation profile256–1 030 m9.6 kmascent 10 m≈ 2.5 h walkingPolonyna LazokMountain meadow1 260 mPolonyna LazokNadvirna districtThe Lazok meadow near the city of Yaremche is quite popular among tourists.Kostryno village, via Mount Borsuk to Kostryno villageHardMulti-dayKostryno village loopvia Mount BorsukElevation profile279–887 m24.8 kmascent 1 200 m≈ 8.5 h walking

Trails and peaks near which naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, iNaturalist), matched by altitude and habitat. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Similar species

Spotted nutcrackerIn season nowSpotted nutcrackerNucifraga caryocatactesA brown bird with white spots of the spruce forests that hides thousands of nuts and seeds of the cedar pine — and thus plants the forest.
Golden eagleRed Data Book of UkraineIn season nowGolden eagleAquila chrysaetosThe largest eagle of the Carpathians. In the Ukrainian Carpathians, only 10–15 pairs nest — a vulnerable species in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Sources

GBIF · iNaturalist · Wikidata · Distribution data: GBIF.org (CC0 and CC BY records), iNaturalist; names and identifiers: Wikidata (CC0). Text: Karpaty.rocks, checked 09.11.2026.