06/05/2026
PATIENT OF THE WEEK: Common Raven Nestlings
A couple of weeks ago, we introduced you to some baby crows in our Wildlife Hospital. Today, meet their larger, more dramatic and prehistoric looking cousins: baby ravens!
These nestling Common Ravens came to Lindsay Wildlife after concerned community members noticed their nest on a power pole was smoking and feared the young birds were in danger.
At first glance, crows and ravens can look remarkably similar, but there are some major clues, especially when they are still young. Baby ravens are noticeably larger and bulkier, with massive beaks, long gangly legs, and bright pink mouths that seem to make up most of their heads. Baby crows tend to be smaller and more delicate, with slimmer beaks and darker markings inside their red mouths.
The differences only become more obvious as they grow. Ravens are much larger than crows, with shaggy throat feathers, wedge-shaped tails, and deep, croaking calls. Crows have fan-shaped tails and make the familiar higher-pitched “caw” that we know so well.
Ravens are, of course, known for their intelligence. They can solve complex problems, use tools, recognize individual human faces, and even mimic sounds and speech. Because they’re so clever and impressionable, our staff and volunteers must take extra care to prevent them from becoming comfortable around people. A wild raven that trusts humans too much may face challenges after release, so we minimize contact, remain quiet during care, and give these youngsters every opportunity to stay wild.
