How to identify Australia’s corvids
4 minute read
Learn how to identify Australia’s corvid bird species, also known as ravens and crows. The easiest way is to listen to their call.
Australian Raven
If you live in Perth, Canberra or Sydney, you’re probably seeing an Australian Raven. This raven is the loudest and sounds like it’s finally understood your joke “Ah? Ah? Ah? Ahhhhh".
Look out for its long throat feathers - these hackles look like a shaggy clump when it calls.
Forest Raven
If you’re in Tasmania, you’re seeing the Forest Raven. It is the baritone of the Aussie ravens.
Little Crow
If you live in a dry arid part of Australia, you may see the Little Crow. This bird’s call a short sharp, nasal and monotonous “nark - nark - nark - nark” or “quark - quark - quark - quark”.
Little Raven
If you live in Melbourne or Adelaide, you’re most likely seeing a Little Raven. This bird’s call is lower in pitch and has a more regular rhythm than the Australian Raven. Listen for its “kar - kar - kar - kar” or “ar - ar - ar- ar”.
Torresian Crow
If you’re in Darwin or Brisbane, you’re seeing a Torresian Crow. It’s the only bird that is named a crow in Australia. It makes an “uk-uk-uk-uk” sound, which is usually more than three notes.
Weekend Birder episodes
Learn more about ravens in this short podcast episode:
