Little Raven

1. Entirely black with white eyes and a slightly slender, hooked bill

2. Flicks wings upward with each call

3. Fast, clipped calls lacking the long, wailing notes of the Australian Raven

Little Ravens are highly adaptable omnivores, feeding mainly on insects but also taking carrion, small animals, eggs, seeds, fruit, and human refuse. They are often seen foraging on the ground in groups, especially in open fields, pastures, and near rubbish tips. Highly mobile, they can travel up to 1 km in an hour and use large home ranges, moving between roosting and feeding sites. Breeding occurs from July to November, with pairs nesting in trees or on structures, sometimes in loose colonies. Females usually lay 3-5 eggs and incubate them alone. Chicks fed by both parents. After fledging, families quickly join larger flocks, and the young may disperse widely before returning to breed.

Little Ravens are widespread across southeastern Australia, including southern South Australia, Victoria, and southern New South Wales, as well as Kangaroo Island and King Island. They thrive in a wide range of habitats, from open woodlands and farmland to city parks and coastal areas. They are especially common in and around Melbourne and Adelaide, where they have adapted well to urban environments. Unlike the Australian Raven, which prefers more forested areas, Little Ravens dominate open and semi-open habitats. In alpine regions, they can form flocks of several hundred birds, especially outside the breeding season.