Common Raven Population Analysis
Common Raven has surged: up 868% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
About the Common Raven
The Common Raven (Corvus corax) is a North American member of the Crows, Jays & Magpies (Corvidae). In this analysis it is grouped with the generalists.
- Size
- 10–27.5 in long (25–70 cm) — a medium to large songbird (typical for the family)
- Habitat
- A broad range of open and wooded habitats, often near people.
- Diet
- An opportunistic mix of insects, seeds, fruit and scraps.
- Range
- Recorded on 2,202 Breeding Bird Survey routes across 37 states, most concentrated in the Great Basin.
- Family
- Corvidae · Generalists
Notable Common Raven TrendsNotable signalsLong-arc shifts the engine flags automatically — sustained declines or increases large enough to stand out from year-to-year noise.Full methodology →
Common Raven has surged in surveyed states: up 868% on the route-weighted index since 1968.
Common Raven Population Forecast
If the recent trend holds, Common Raven is projected to rise about 11% by 2030 — from 3.7 in 2025 to a central estimate of 4.2 (95% range 3.7–4.6). A 5-year backtest shows a typical error of ±12.6%, with 60% of held-out values landing inside the 95% band.
Where the Common Raven Is Detected
BBS routes recording Common Raven, sized by most recent count.
Common Raven Population Trend by State
Common Raven Population Trend by Region
Bird Conservation Regions are the ecological unit for trends.
Common Raven Conservation Status
Our route-weighted index shows it up about 868% since 1968.
Source: USGS North American Breeding Bird Survey, retrieved 2026-08-14. Trend is a route-weighted relative-abundance index, not an absolute population.