Also read: Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – Yellow-billed Kite

Description

This is a largish bird at 52cm and a weight of 800g. It has the typical thickset appearance of Crows and Ravens which includes a very thick and heavy looking beak with a distinctive white tip. It is almost totally glossy black in colouration except for its distinctive white collar on the back of the neck which gives it its name.

Males and females are identical in appearance, but the female is slightly larger in size.

Distribution

The White-necked Raven is found mainly in the eastern, southern and south-western parts of South Africa, including all of KZN except a small coastal strip on the Maputaland coast

Habitat

The White-necked Raven is a cliff dweller so it will be found in the vicinity of gorges, cliffs or mountains. They are very good fliers and are able to make sharp turns at speed to land on cliff edges.

Feeding

This species is omnivorous, and an opportunistic feeder often seen picking up roadkill on our highways. It enjoys a very wide range of food, including small mammals, birds’ eggs, insects and fruit.

Breeding

The White-necked Raven is a monogamous species and mates for life. It is also very territorial and will defend its territory aggressively. The nest is usually a messy pile of sticks on an inaccessible cliff edge. Two to five eggs are laid which take up to 26 days to hatch. The care and feeding of the young chicks is done entirely by the female who also keeps the nest clean by swallowing the droppings of the chicks. The chicks leave the nest after about 35 days.

Predators and threats

This is a ‘tough’ bird and can easily defend itself from most predators. It is listed as ‘least concern’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and population numbers in South Africa are reasonably healthy.

Local information

You will find the White-necked Raven in our area wherever there are cliffs. Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, Giba Gorge and Monteseel are good areas to spot them. They do feed in adjacent areas so you may also spot them on nearby grasslands, roads and even in a shopping centre!

Interesting facts

Ravens are well known for their curiosity and intelligence. They have an impressive ability to mimic many other species including humans – apparently better than parrots. Because of their curiosity they are also perceived as mischievous and have been seen playing with stones which they toss in the air and then catch in mid-air.

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