Social Structure

-Social Structure

Live in packs or solo: In winter, common ravens may gather in flocks to forage during the day and to roost at night. During the rest of the year, they are often coupled, or in small groups. Large groups of ravens are probably young birds that have yet to pair up; ravens begin breeding at ages 2 to 4.

Roles within community: There is no difference in between hierarchy in a raven flock. 

Male or Female led groups: There is none. 

Individuals that make up the group: It will be all the ravens either grouped up for foraging or roosting and during the mating season the flock will split up and have mating pairs. 

How do they interact with each other: By touching or clasping their bills together, or by manipulating the item together. they will also mimic sounds and try to “talk” with each other. 

-Reproduction

How often do they mate: Ravens breed once yearly. A single clutch of four to seven greenish eggs with olive or brown blotches will be laid. 

How many mates do they have: Ravens are believed to mate for life. They build large, stick nests in which females lay three to seven eggs each spring. They are mostly monogamous (one mate at a time if its not a mate for life). 

Time of year for mating: Breeding and egg laying occurs between mid-February and late May, though most clutches are started in March or April. Breeding season varies by region and by the length of the winter.

Mating rituals: Throughout the year, a pair of ravens may soar wingtip to wingtip, swooping in unison, tumbling through the sky. During courtship, the pair will often sit side by side, gently preening each other's feathers. And during that ritual, they may make these warbling sounds.

Number of offspring produces at a time: They lay three to seven eggs a year. 

Any unique characteristics of their mating: They swoop and dive through the sky together much like bald eagles. 

-Development

Stages of development: ravens leave the nest at around 4 weeks after hatching. They stay in larger groups until they reach sexual maturity at around 3 to 4 years old. They will mate for life and they will live to an average life length of 10-15 years. 

How old before sexual maturity: Ravens reach sexual maturity at 3 or 4 years of age. 

Activities and environment of stages: Juvenile ravens are browner than all-black adults. Has elongated throat feathers, known as “hackles,” that are raised in threat and dominance displays.

Difference between males and females: besides their internal differences there is no difference between male and female ravens besides that females might be slightly smaller.