We observed cannibalism, the act of consuming a conspecific, of eggs and nestlings by Common Ravens (Corvus corax; hereafter “raven”) by video-monitoring nests in Nevada and California. Specifically, within the sagebrush steppe of Nevada, adult ravens killed and consumed raven chicks from an active nest. Additionally, on the coast of California, we observed adult ravens consume inviable eggs from their own nest following full-term incubation. To our knowledge, these observations represent the first documented cannibalistic behavior by ravens.
First recorded observations of conspecific egg and nestling consumption in common ravens (Corvus corax)
Western North American Naturalist
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Abstract
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | First recorded observations of conspecific egg and nestling consumption in common ravens (Corvus corax) |
| Series title | Western North American Naturalist |
| DOI | 10.3398/064.080.0211 |
| Volume | 80 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Year Published | 2020 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | BioOne |
| Contributing office(s) | Western Ecological Research Center |
| Description | 7 p. |
| First page | 236 |
| Last page | 242 |
| Country | United States |
| State | California, Nevada |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |