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  1. Species
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  3. Corvidae
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  5. Corvus
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  7. Forest Raven
Forest Raven
Photo · (c) Joseph Morlan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

BirdUp · Species

Forest Raven

Corvus tasmanicusMathews, 1912

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Corvidae
Genus
Corvus

At a glance

The Forest Raven is a large bird, about 50–53 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
50–53 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Forest Raven look like?

The Forest Raven is a large bird, about 50–53 cm long and weighing 500–814 g.

The forest raven, also commonly known as the Tasmanian raven, is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae native to Tasmania and parts of southern Victoria, such as Wilsons Promontory and Portland. Populations are also found in parts of New South Wales, including Dorrigo and Armidale. Measuring 50–53 cm (20–21 in) in length, it has all-black plumage, beak and legs. As with the other two species of raven in Australia, its black feathers have grey bases. Adults have white irises; younger birds have dark brown and then hazel irises with an inner blue rim. New South Wales populations are recognised as a separate subspecies C. tasmanicus boreus, but appear to be nested within the Tasmanian subspecies genetically.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
50–53 cm
Weight
500–814 g
Wingspan
91 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Forest Raven?

The Forest Raven is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

Peter Crowcroft · Lorne VIC 3232, Australia

Call

Will Cornwell · Bungwahl NSW 2423, Australia

Call

Jeremy James · Bairnsdale VIC 3875, Australia

Call

J N. · Victoria, AU

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Forest Raven eat?

The Forest Raven feeds on fruit, seeds, terrestrial invertebrates, terrestrial vertebrates, carrion and intertidal invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

5 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Forest Raven live in Australia?

The Forest Raven is endemic to Australia, recorded across 28 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning south-east Australia and Tasmania.

BreedingSouth-east Australia and Tasmania

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

8 regions recorded