Native to eastern and southern Africa, this bird is impossible to miss with its sleek black feathers and the striking patch of white feathers on the back of its neck — almost like it’s wearing a fancy cloak. It’s a bit smaller than the famous common raven, but it makes up for that with loads of personality. With its chunky, slightly curved beak and its confident strut, the White-necked raven looks like it’s always up to something clever — and most of the time, it is!
One thing that makes the White-necked raven stand out is its impressive brainpower. Like its cousins, it’s incredibly smart and curious. These ravens are known for their ability to figure things out, from stealing food in tricky ways to solving little problems they encounter. Some have been spotted dropping tough nuts onto roads so that passing cars crack them open — talk about using your surroundings! They’re also excellent mimics. Although not as famous as parrots, White-necked ravens can copy sounds from their environment, including the calls of other birds, the barking of dogs, and even human voices if they spend enough time around people.
Social life is a big deal for White-necked ravens. They often hang out in pairs or small groups, flying together in tight formation and performing impressive aerial stunts just for fun. Watching them swoop, dive, and twist through the sky is like seeing a group of feathered acrobats putting on a show. These birds are also chatty — they use a wide range of croaks, rattles, and soft calls to stay in touch with each other. And when food is involved, you can expect some lively squabbles and playful stealing, but it’s all part of their clever and competitive nature.
Distribution
Botswana
Burundi
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Eswatini
Kenya
Lesotho
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
Rwanda
South Africa
South Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
