Raven

LIVING HABITS

The raven breeds on the northern hemisphere and can be found throughout Finland. Originally quite timid, preferring large and quiet wilderness areas, the raven has learnt to utilise human output as their food supply. The raven feeds on just about anything: carrion, waste disposals, birds’ eggs and little birds, berries and other type of vegetation. Ravens also like living near dumps as well as in the vicinity of pens of predators in wildlife parks. Possible food for the animals is the attraction. Old ravens are non-migratory, and they may even nest in the same nest year after year. Young ravens, however, are migratory.

PROTECTION

Because of persecution, the raven population declined strongly in the 1900’s in Finland. In the mid century the estimated amount of ravens was only about 1 200 individuals. Nowadays the raven is a protected species south from the reindeer husbandry districts in the North.

ADAPTING TO WINTER

The raven has adapted well to the cold of the Finnish winter. In addition to the willow grouse, ptarmigan and gyrfalcon, it is the only bird to winter in the northern parts of Lapland. In the winter, ravens gather into flocks. When one of them catches a sight of carrion or some other food, the whole flock flies to the feeding place.