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Corvus corax

warning Near Threatened
NT (D1)

Contributed: Nadav Israeli, Lior Kislev, Asaf Mayrose, Avner Rinot, Yoav Perlman, Amir Ben-dov, Noam Weiss, Rei Segali

The Common Raven is classified as Near Threatened (NT), because of its small population size (less than 1,000 mature individuals). In the previous edition of the Red Book (2002), it was classified as Endangered (EN). The improvement in its status reflects the improvement in its population size and its range expansion, particularly in Eastern Samaria, the Judean Desert and the Negev Highlands.
NT Current Regional Assessment | EN Previous Regional Assessment | LC World Assessment

Habitats Desert Cliffs, Mediterranean Cliffs
Presence In Israel Resident
Nesting In Israel Breeder
Migration Types Resident
Zoography Zones Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian
Landscape Formations Mountainous, Cliffs
Vegetation Formations Mediterranean Maquis, Mediterranean Garrigue
Vegetation Densities Low, Medium
Nest Locations Cliffs
Diet Types Omnivore
Foraging Grounds Ground
Body Sizes Large (over 1000g)
Threat Factors Pesticide Poisoning, Lead Poisoning

The Common Raven is a relatively rare resident species. It is extinct as a breeder in the Mediterranean region, except for a few pairs in the northern Golan Heights. About 40-80 pairs are estimated to breed in the Judean Desert and Eastern Samaria, and 30 to 50 pairs in the Negev (Mayrose & Hatsofe 2017). In was once a common breeder throughout the Mediterranean region. Until the mid-20th century, a few hundred pairs nested on Mt. Hermon, in the Golan Heights, the Galilee, Mt. Carmel, Samaria and Judea south to Bethlehem. During the 1960s and 1970s, a drastic reduction in the number of individuals was recorded, probably due to poisoning. During the 1980s, the population recovered somewhat, and at the end of the decade 25-30 pairs nested in Israel (Shirihai 1996).

Mountainous or cliff landscapes, mainly in the Mediterranean region, but in other climate conditions as well, except for extreme deserts.

Poisoning – Common Ravens are very susceptible to poisoning as they feed on arthropods and small carrion such as rodents. This is probably the main reason for the dramatic decline in their population, recorded in the second half 20th century.
Direct disturbance – mainly by hikers and rock climbers.

  • מירוז, א. והצופה, א. 2014. סיכום סקר קינון עופות דורסים במדבר יהודה. דו"ח רשות הטבע והגנים.
  • פז, ע. 1986. עופות. מתוך אלון, ע. (עורך), החי והצומח של ארץ ישראל. כרך 6. הוצאת משרד הביטחון, ישראל.
  • פרלמן, י., שוחט, א. ולבינגר, ז. 2009. סקר אטלס ציפורים בערבה סיכום שנת 2009. דו"ח מרכז הצפרות של החברה להגנת הטבע.
Contributed: Nadav Israeli, Lior Kislev, Asaf Mayrose, Avner Rinot, Yoav Perlman, Amir Ben-dov, Noam Weiss, Rei Segali

Current Occupancy Map

Distribution maps

The maps presented here provide visual information on the distribution of species in Israel in the past and present, and the changes in occupancy and nesting density during the comparison period. For further reading


Relative Abundance 2010-2020

Breeding density values as calculated from observation records and expert opinions.

Relative Abundance 1980-1990

Breeding density values are based mainly on the book Birds of Israel (Shirihai 1996).

Occupancy difference 1990-2020

A map that expresses differences in the breeding distribution between the evaluation periods (1980-1990 versus 2010-2020). Negative value - species previously present but is currently absent, positive value - species has not been recorded previously and is currently present, zero - no change in occupancy.

Relative abundance difference 1990-2020

A map that reflects the changes in the relative abundance of the species between the evaluation periods (1980-1990 versus 2010-2020). Negative values - decline in abundance, positive values - increase in abundance, zero - no change in abundance.


Rarity
Vulnerability
Attractiveness
Endemism
Red number
Peripherality

IUCN category
Definition

() districts
Disjunctiveness:
% of protected sites

Other Species

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Corvus splendens
Corvus rhipidurus
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