From Roadkill to Cat Food: What Ravens Really Eat

The common raven (Corvus corax) is a species of the genus Corvus and is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. These birds are scavengers and predators that can live in a variety of climates, from the sweltering desert to the frigid tundra of the high Arctic.

Common ravens are huge, black birds with massive beaks. They resemble American crows, which are also Corvidae. Though other all-black species exist (brewer’s blackbird, grackle, starling, black phoebe, American coot), ravens and crows are the largest and most fully black corvids. Despite popular confusion, ravens are unique from crows. For starters, ravens are twice the size of crows and weigh more. While crows are about the same size as pigeons, ravens are comparable in size to red-tailed hawks!

This post was updated on October 15, 2025 to clarify other species of all-black birds, size comparison, range in the U.S. northeast, winter habitat, ability to mimic words, and preferred diet.

What Is a Raven’s Typical Diet?

A common raven eats anything it can get a hold of and will feast on insects, trash, carrion, seeds, fruit, and more. Its diet includes:

• Unmanaged picnics
• Trash  
• Carcasses (mice and baby tortoises are examples)
• Lizards
• Frogs
• Nestlings from other birds
• Fish
• Meat (raw or cooked)
• Fruit
• Seeds
• Carrion (decaying flesh)
• Insects.

Ravens are scavengers by nature and eat a wide variety of food sources. These creatures prefer to eat animal carrion. They’ll occasionally eat fruit or grains. Scavengers are vital in the food chain. Animal carcasses, or carrion, are kept out of an environment. Scavengers decompose organic matter and recycle it as nutrients back into the ecosystem.

What Are Ravens’ Favorite Foods?

Ravens certainly aren’t fussy eaters! Although, they do have some favorites, which include:

• Cat or dog food (small pellets)
• Corn
• Eggs
• Unsalted peanuts and nuts
• High protein treats (insects, smaller animals)
• Fruits
• Vegetables.

Regarding cat food, it may be a favorite of ravens, but raccoons also enjoy it. So, if you don’t want raccoons in your yard, you might want to avoid feeding this food!

For the energy they need to forage, ravens prefer to eat protein as a food source. It doesn’t matter if an animal is sick or injured if they get to eat some meat!

Where Do Ravens Hunt for Food?

Throughout North America, ravens can be found in large swaths of Canada and the west coast of the U.S. In the eastern U.S., they occur mainly in Appalachian and northern forest regions (New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maine). They enjoy deciduous and evergreen forests up to the treetops, as well as seacoasts, high deserts, sagebrush, grasslands, and tundra. Ravens forage at carcasses or dumps in winter.

They do well in rural areas, as well as in some towns and cities. Common ravens benefit from the garbage, crops, irrigation, and roadkill they find when they live close to humans. While flying over open or partially open terrain, they wait until the ideal moment. If there is a food supply, a raven will find a way to get to it!

How Do Ravens Hunt for Food?

Common ravens are usually seen in couples or small groups, but vast numbers can develop at dumps and other food hotspots. They are intelligent and sometimes work together to flush out prey. Ravens mainly forage on the ground, but they will also raid other birds’ nests. Ravens can visually detect rotting carrion when flying over land. Their cries include a powerful croaking, often produced in flight.

Ravens are highly adaptable creatures. They can live in snow, desert, mountains, or woods. Common ravens eat fish, meat, seeds, fruit, carrion, and rubbish. They are not above distracting other animals and stealing their food. Ravens have few predators and have been known to live up to 40 years in captivity! The raven is clearly a clever bird that will use any available resources to fulfill its needs.

Can You Feed a Raven?

The raven has long been related to death and bad luck. It is a cursed soul reincarnated, according to the Germans. The Swedes thought a raven’s night croak was wicked. The Danish believed ravens were exorcised souls. Recent research on this unusual bird shows it is even more interesting than we thought!

Despite their dark historical and popular cultural image, the brave and playful common raven is always entertaining. On the ground, ravens strut and swagger. In the air, ravens frequently perform aerobatics such as rapid rolls and wing-tucked dives!

Recent research shows the raven has cognitive abilities on par with dolphins and primates. They can even imitate some words, similar to the way parrots mimic human speech. Common ravens are smart and can even solve problems together.

Just be wary of getting too close. Wild ravens are wary of humans; only imprinted or habituated individuals allow touch. A mother raven is unrelenting when protecting her young. They are usually successful in thwarting potential threats. They also won’t wait to defend themselves. If they feel threatened, a raven will lunge at predators using their large beak to attack!

How to Feed a Raven

Food is by far the most effective technique for attracting ravens! First, make sure there is nothing around that could scare the raven away, such as larger animals or something resembling this. You can then start by leaving seeds or grains. This will keep it stink-free and less likely to attract other wild animals.

The key is to leave food out consistently, so the ravens get used to a feeding schedule and are more likely to stop by and eat. Leaving the food in a somewhat open area will make it easier for ravens to spot when flying overhead. By doing this, you are allowing the raven to come to your food source, decreasing any chance of invading its space.

It is possible to gain a raven’s trust this way and enjoy the reward of watching these curious creatures. Just remember, they are wild birds and should remain so. After all, this is part of their charm!

Do Ravens Eat Small Dogs?

Birds of prey, such as owls and hawks, will sometimes pounce upon small dogs, leaving may pet owners wary of their presence. You do not have to worry about this with ravens. These big black birds will not go after living pets, even small ones.

Summary of Food Ravens Eat

Here’s a recap of the food that ravens commonly eat as well as their favorites: