Ravens are fairly common birds throughout Colorado. Two species, the common raven and Chihuahuan raven, can be found across most of the state. Ravens are large, all-black corvids that are closely related to crows. They are intelligent, adapt at problem-solving, and often live near human settlements. While not as numerous as some other bird species, ravens can be seen regularly in both rural and urban areas of Colorado if you know where to look.
What types of ravens live in Colorado?
There are two raven species that live in Colorado:
- Common raven – The larger of the two raven species in Colorado. Common ravens are found across the state in many habitats below treeline. They are widespread throughout North America.
- Chihuahuan raven – A smaller desert-adapted raven species. Chihuahuan ravens are common in the southwestern quarter of Colorado but range north along the eastern plains as well. Their range extends south into Mexico.
These two raven species overlap across much of Colorado. They can be difficult to distinguish visually, but chihuahuan ravens have more slender bills and tails. Their calls are also different.
Where can you find ravens in Colorado?
Ravens occupy diverse habitats in Colorado. Here are some of the best places to look for them:
- Canyons – Ravens nest on cliffs and canyon walls. They are a common sight soaring over canyonlands in western Colorado.
- Deserts – Chihuahuan ravens frequent arid desert habitats in southeastern Colorado, perching on yucca and cacti.
- Shrublands – Both raven species forage in sagebrush shrublands and pinyon-juniper woodlands.
- Open country – Look for ravens in open ranchlands, meadows, and agricultural fields across rural Colorado.
- Tundra – Common ravens can be found on high alpine tundra above treeline in the mountains.
- Cities – Ravens adapt readily to urban areas, where they scavenge at landfills and nest on buildings.
Ravens are absent only from the very highest elevations and dense forest interiors. Otherwise they are widespread generalists when it comes to habitat.
How common are ravens in Colorado?
Both raven species are common year-round residents across Colorado. However, they tend to occur at lower densities than other corvids like crows and magpies. Here are some details on raven abundance in Colorado:
- Statewide population estimates – ~230,000 common ravens, ~90,000 Chihuahuan ravens
- Notable concentrations – Ravens congregate near abundant food sources like landfills, feedlots, andcarrion.
- Urban populations – Ravens have adapted to cities but numbers there pale compared toAmerican crows.
- Nesting distribution – Occupied nests may be spaced as little as every 1/2 mile in prime habitat.
So while ravens are a constant presence in Colorado, they do not always occur in huge flocks like crows. But you can expect to see or hear a raven on most days in the state.
How have raven populations changed in Colorado?
Both raven species have increased their numbers and expanded ranges within Colorado over the past century. For example:
- Common ravens -expanded eastward into prairies as trees became more common. Also moved into montane areas as forests recovered from logging.
- Chihuahuan ravens – moved north along Front Range, possibly in response to milder winters. Also increased with agriculture and livestock providing food.
Overall, raven populations have benefited from human-caused habitat changes in Colorado. They are exceptionally intelligent and flexible in utilizing new food sources and nesting opportunities.
Year | Common raven population estimate | Chihuahuan raven population estimate |
---|---|---|
1900 | 25,000 | 15,000 |
1950 | 100,000 | 50,000 |
2000 | 200,000 | 80,000 |
2020 | 230,000 | 90,000 |
These figures illustrate the large population increases, especially for common ravens, over the 20th century in Colorado.
Why are ravens successful in Colorado?
A few key factors explain why ravens thrive across so much of Colorado:
- Adaptability – Ravens use diverse food sources and nest sites. This allows them to live in varied habitats.
- Intelligence – Their ingenious problem-solving skills help ravens take advantage of resources.
- Omnivorous diet – Ravens eat carrion, insects, seeds, fruit, eggs, and more. They are not limited by a narrow diet.
- Cliff nesting – Nests on cliffs, buildings, and other structures are safe from many predators.
- Protection – Ravens are no longer persecuted and killed by humans as in the past.
Ravens have been able to thrive alongside human changes to the Colorado landscape when many other species have not. Their future looks secure across most of the state.
Do ravens migrate or stay in Colorado year-round?
The majority of ravens in Colorado do not migrate significant distances. However, their migration patterns include:
- Residents – Most ravens stay within Colorado year-round. They defend permanent home territories.
- Vertical migrants – Some ravens move up and down mountains to adapt to seasonal conditions.
- Northern migrants – A small number of common ravens migrate south into Colorado for the winter.
- Wanderers – Juvenile ravens often wander broadly before establishing a fixed home range.
In general, ravens do not leave Colorado completely for the winter. But local movements and wandering individuals make seasonal changes in their distributions.
What do ravens eat in Colorado?
The diverse diet of ravens includes:
- Carrion – Dead animals, including roadkill.
- Insects – Especially grasshoppers, beetles, and their larvae.
- Reptiles and amphibians – Small snakes, lizards, and frogs.
- Eggs and young birds – Raid nests of other birds.
- Seeds and fruits – Pinon nuts, berries, and more.
- Rodents – Voles, pocket gophers, and even small rabbits.
- Garbage – Ravens scavenge at landfills and trash cans.
- Livestock feed – Grain at feedlots or left in troughs.
Ravens are opportunistic foragers and eat almost anything they can get their bills on! They hunt, scavenge, dig, and glean creatively to find food.
When do ravens nest in Colorado?
The nesting season for ravens lines up with spring in Colorado. Key dates include:
- Courtship – February to March. Ravens perform acrobatics and vocalize to attract mates.
- Nest building – March to early April. Large stick nests are built on cliffs, buildings, and trees.
- Egg laying – April to early May. Females lay 3-7 green, speckled eggs.
- Incubation – Late April to May. Females incubate eggs for about 21 days.
- Fledging – May to June. Young ravens fledge the nest at 35-42 days old.
Most ravens have a single brood each year. Higher elevation ravens may nest a few weeks later than lowland birds. Ravens often reuse and defend their nest sites year after year.
How can you attract ravens in Colorado?
You can sometimes lure ravens to your yard or property with a few simple techniques:
- Provide elevated perches like fence posts or dead trees for scanning and resting.
- Put out peanuts, dog food, or sunflower seeds to attract them.
- Add shiny objects like tin foil that will interest curious ravens.
- Leave fruit scraps or bones from meat to invite scavenging.
- Play raven calls andmimic their vocalizations.
However, do not feed ravens excessively or let them become dependent on handouts. Their intelligence and resourcefulness are what make them such charming birds to observe.
Fun facts about Colorado ravens
- Ravens soar effortlessly on updrafts, doing rolls andloops midair.
- Their voice box allows them to make a wide array of clicks, croaks, and vocalizations.
- Ravens are one of the smartest bird species, with problem-solving skills on par with great apes.
- They use tools in the wild, modifying sticks to probe for food.
- Ravens can mimic sounds like other birds and even human speech.
- Common ravens are larger than Chihuahuan ravens and have diamond-shaped tails.
- Ravens mate for life and live in family groups centered around a nest site.
- Young ravens stay with their parents for months learning survival skills.
- Ravens have been subjects of myths and legends across many human cultures.
- They are symbols in some Native American traditions and artwork.
Key points about Colorado ravens
- Colorado is home to two raven species: larger common ravens and smaller Chihuahuan ravens.
- Ravens inhabit diverse habitats from cities to mountains to deserts.
- They are resident birds found statewide year-round.
- Raven populations increased greatly in Colorado over the past century.
- Their intelligence and flexibility allow them to thrive in varied environments.
- Ravens utilize a wide range of food sources from carrion to fruit to livestock feed.
- Nesting activities start in late winter with breeding in spring.
- Ravens are engaging birds to observe with fascinating behaviours and vocalizations.
So while not as numerous as other birds, ravens have a strong and stable hold across Colorado. Seeing their broad, wedge-shaped tails or hearing their distinctive calls is a regular occurrence when spending time outdoors in this state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both common ravens and Chihuahuan ravens are fairly widespread and common year-round resident species across most of Colorado. Ravens occupy diverse habitats from low deserts to high mountains in the state. They are intelligent and highly adaptable birds that have thrived alongside human changes to the landscape. While not occurring in huge numbers, ravens can be readily observed across Colorado by the attentive birder or nature lover. Their croaking calls, aerobatic flight, and sly scavenging make them fun and interesting birds to have around.