Brown-necked raven

The brown-necked raven is a fascinating bird, notable for its size and distinctive plumage. It is larger than the carrion crow but not quite as sizeable as the common raven. You can easily identify it by its brownish-black head and throat, while the rest of its feathers exhibit a glossy black sheen with hints of purple, blue, or purplish-blue.

This raven is among the larger members of the corvid family, although size can vary among its relatives. The brown-necked raven is predominantly found in desert regions spanning North Africa, Kenya, the Arabian Peninsula, the Greater Middle East, and southern Iran.

In terms of diet, this bird is highly opportunistic. It feeds on carrion, snakes, locusts, fish, grains, and fruits. When nesting, the brown-necked raven shows considerable adaptability, building nests in trees, on cliffs, and even on old buildings. Typically, a nest contains a clutch of four to five eggs.

Its calls are quite similar to those of the common raven, featuring croaks and sounds such as "karr-karr-karr" and "kuerk-kuerk." Interestingly, they have the ability to mimic other sounds, though this behavior is less common in the wild.