Corvus corax
Wild country across the West, the North, and the Appalachians. Larger and more solitary than a crow. Three-toed track with a long rear toe, about 3 to 4 inches.
What does a common raven look like?
All black, larger than a crow, with a heavier bill and a wedge tail.
What do common raven tracks look like?
A large perching-bird print. Bigger than a crow. The bird walks, so the trail is an alternating line, not paired hops only.
- Three-toed track with a long rear toe, about 3 to 4 inches
- Toes thick, middle toe long
- Often walks rather than hops
- Wedge-shaped tail in flight if seen
- Droppings are white and dark splashes on rocks and posts
What does common raven poop look like?
Whitewash with dark insect or meat remains on a perch. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Wild country across the West, the North, and the Appalachians. Larger and more solitary than a crow. Typical places: woods, field, desert. Year-round where the species lives. Tracks show best in mud, sand, and snow.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not handle droppings
- If the animal is injured or inside a building, call a local wildlife officer
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Wild turkey identification
- Great blue heron identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
What do raven tracks look like?
A three-forward, one-back print about 3 to 4 inches, in a walking line.
How to tell a common raven from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Wild turkey. A big three-toed print. Large dark ground bird, featherless head, bronze body.
- Great blue heron. A skinny X with a long rear toe. Tall gray-blue wading bird, S-curved neck, dagger bill.
Common raven field marks
- Three-toed track with a long rear toe, about 3 to 4 inches
- Toes thick, middle toe long
- Often walks rather than hops
- Wedge-shaped tail in flight if seen
Where the sign shows up
Wild country across the West, the North, and the Appalachians. Larger and more solitary than a crow. Typical places: woods, field, desert. Year-round where the species lives. Tracks show best in mud, sand, and snow.
A large perching-bird print. Bigger than a crow. The bird walks, so the trail is an alternating line, not paired hops only. Whitewash with dark insect or meat remains on a perch.
Common questions
What do raven tracks look like?
A three-forward, one-back print about 3 to 4 inches, in a walking line.