The
Australian raven (
Corvus coronoides) is a
passerine bird in the crow family
Corvidae, native to much of southern and northeastern Australia. Measuring about 50 cm (20 in) in length, with a 100 cm (40 in) wingspan, it is Australia's largest species of corvid. The bird's white
iris contrasts with the entirely black plumage. Feeding largely on insects and other invertebrates, it also consumes eggs, nestlings,
roadkill and
carrion, as well as vegetable material. Farmers sometimes persecute it on the grounds that it kills lambs, but a healthy lamb is probably beyond its capabilities, although it does eat lamb faeces and stillborn animals. This Australian raven, perched on a rock encrusted with
barnacles, was photographed at Doughboy Head in
New South Wales.
Photograph credit: John Harrison