Common raven

11 entries

1. 01

   Kaw

   This common vocalization likely communicates many messages. It certainly announces the bird's presence.

   Function

   Identifying the caller to a mate or neighbor, defending territory from a passerby, or coordinating actions within the pair.

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2. 02

   Growl

   Usually given by a bird backing away from conflict with a dominant raven. As a dominant moves close, the subordinate may cower, fluff its head feathers, turn and look away, and growl.

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3. 03

   Harmonic hoot

   In Maine this vocalization was only given by territorial females as they chased intruding nonbreeders from their territory.

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4. 04

   Knocks

   Female ravens utter knocks of varying length when aggressive or excited, typically puffing up their head feathers as they chase intruders from the territory. Rapid, vigorous chases with knocking are common around nesting areas and food sources. The number of knocks in a sequence may indicate motivation, though that has not been investigated rigorously.

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5. 05

   Quork

   Like a kaw, the quork is given by territorial birds of either sex. Quorks may be given from stationary perches, or during territorial flights in which the caller tucks a wing, barrel-rolls onto its back and utters two quorks in rapid succession.

   Function

   Territorial defense, and perhaps communicating and coordinating presence with a mate.

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6. 06

   Nestlings in second week of life

   As nestlings grow they give begging calls when hungry, especially when their parents are in sight. These begin as quiet calls, develop into harsher, easily audible calls (as here), and finally become the loud "yells" used to communicate hunger throughout a raven's early years.

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7. 07

   Hollow log

   Territorial ravens of both sexes use many calls to advertise ownership of breeding, roosting and nearby foraging grounds; all are loud, easily localized, and seem designed to sound imposing and from a large bird. John and Colleen recorded this version of territorial defense in Maine.

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8. 08

   Trills

   Just before attacking a rival, a nonterritorial bird utters a trill, sounding more like a crane than a corvid. If the rival does not back down, the trilling bird lunges to grab it and strike it repeatedly with its long, sharp beak.

   Function

   Signals readiness to fight.

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9. 09

   Yack

   A raven struck or nearly struck by another raven defending food or territory utters a sharp yack. Yacks are often heard as birds in a foraging group tussle for position around food, and often follow knocking, trilling and begging by free-ranging young ravens.

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10. 10

    Yells

    Older nestlings, nonbreeders of nearly any age, and paired females early in the breeding season (nest building through incubation) yell when hungry, especially at the sight of food they cannot reach. Yelling may attract others to food defended by more powerful territory holders; with many nonbreeders present, the territorial birds cannot exclude them all and their defense subsides.

    Function

    Motivated by hunger; may recruit others to defended food.

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11. 11

    Duet

    Paired ravens often vocalize in synchrony as they preen each other, defend territory or coordinate actions. Because females are smaller than their mates, the male's voice is deeper.

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