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23

Forest Raven (Corvus tasmanicus) Alternate name(s): "Tasmanian Raven"; race "boreus": "Relict Raven" Size: 50-53 cm; wing span: 0.9-1.15 m Body mass: 500-770 g Wing loading [g/cm2]: 0.40-0.46

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Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Forest Ravens, together with Australian Ravens, are the largest corvids (ravens, crows) in Australia. Their plumage is all glossy-black. They have basically no "hackles" and are sturdier in appearance than other Australian corvids. The irises are white. The very strong bill, the legs and feet are black. Juvenile and immature birds first have dark-brown irises, which later turn hazelnut-coloured with inner blue rings before turning white. Twitcher's tip Forest Ravens are best distinguished from other corvids by their relatively short, broad and slightly flared tail.

Taxonomy, classification See Forest Raven at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Forest Raven is available HERE . There are two races of Forest Ravens, both of which are endemic to Australia. Nominate race "tasmanicus" (the "Tasmanian Raven") populates all of Tasmania and all the surrounding smaller islands along Bass Strait and to the South-east of Tasmania. In addition, they are found along the southern-most fringe of the Australian continent, from about Wilson's Promontory, VIC, in the East to the far south-eastern corner of SA in the West. Race "boreus" (the "Relict Raven") is found only in two small patches on the NSW mid-North coast and far-North coast and in the hinterland of these coastal areas. Forest Ravens are found in a wide range of habitats in Tasmania, but have a strong preference for dense eucalypt forest on the Australian continent. Twitcher's tip Forest Ravens are the only corvids (ravens/crows) found in Tasmania.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "tasmanicus" B. Hensen reports spotting Forest Ravens, race "tasmanicus", in various locations in Tasmania, e.g. in Peter Murrell Reserve near Kingston, TAS, and also on Bruny Island, TAS, in March 2016. M. Eaton also found Forest Ravens, race "tasmanicus", in various locations in Tasmania, including Peter Murrell Reserve near Kingston, TAS, in April 2021, and at Cradle Mountain, TAS, in September 2021. Race "boreus" We have recorded the calls of a Forest Raven, race "boreus", in Dorrigo NP, NSW, in March 2015.

Photos

Race "tasmanicus"

This race is also called the "Tasmanian Raven".

ADULT

Near-frontal view of a Forest Raven (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston, TAS, April 2021]

Near-lateral view of a Forest Raven (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston, TAS, April 2021]

Lateral view of a Forest Raven (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston, TAS, April 2021]

Lateral view of a Forest Raven issuing its call (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston, TAS, April 2021]

Near-dorsal view of a Forest Raven (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Bruny Island, TAS, March 2016]

Direct comparison of a Forest Raven, back, with a Grey Currawong, front (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Near Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston, TAS, March 2016]

Race "boreus"

This race is also called the "Relic Raven".

No photos are available yet, but we have recorded the calls of a Forest Raven, race "boreus".

Behaviour

Food, Diet

Like all corvids, Forest Ravens are omnivores.

Near-lateral view of a Forest Raven with its prey, a grub (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston, TAS, April 2021]

Lateral view of a Forest Raven prying prey out of a dead branch (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Peter Murrell Reserve, near Kingston, TAS, April 2021]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

More Forest Raven sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.