Ravens, which are essentially identical to crows, are quite a diverse "group" of birds. The most widely spread and well known member of this group is Corvus corax or the Northern Raven which is basically a palearctic species that has spread to all continents short of South America and Antarctica.
The Northern Raven is a large, stately bird, about the size of a large hawk, that can be seen riding thermals at high altitudes. Other species of ravens include the light eyed Australian Raven (Corvus Coronoides), The heavily built African White-necked Raven (Corvus albicollis), and the enormous Ethiopian Thick-billed Raven (Corvus crassirostris) the largest of all corvids. Interestingly enough, the Pied Crow (Corvus albus)is generally categorized with the ravens, being closely affiliated with the Northern Raven. All species of ravens have simple to well developed throat hackles that tend to "hang Loose" under the throat when the bird is at rest. Upon alighting, ravens DO NOT wing flick, something that the crows are seen habitually doing.
It may also be interesting to note how closely related all ravens, crows, jackdaws, and rooks are to one another. The relationship is not like comparing an amazon to a macaw, but rather a Scarlet Macaw to a Greenwing Macaw -
aside from a few slight external differences, these birds are almost anatomically and genetically identical. All members of the genus corvus are capable of interbreeding.
- Edgar Allan Poe
Quoth The Raven "Nevermore!!!"
"In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore..."
