Common Raven

The common raven (Corvus corax) is a large, all-black corvid found year-round throughout Banff National Park; from valley floors to alpine ridges. In the mountains, the raven is the iconic “big black bird”; what people often call “the crow” at Lake Louise or Sunshine is usually a raven. American Crows are more common at lower elevations or in the townsite during summer.

Identification

Much larger than crows (raven: Red-tailed Hawk size; crow: pigeon size). Wedge-shaped tail vs. fan-shaped; deep “gronk-gronk” vs. high “caw-caw”; shaggy throat “hackles” vs. smooth feathers. Ravens soar and glide, often in barrel rolls; crows flap constantly.

Intelligence and behaviour

Corvids are among the smartest birds. At Lake Louise and Sunshine, ravens have learned to unzip backpacks and open snack bags left on patios. They use tools, drop nuts on roads for cars to crack, and can recognise individual human faces; if you’re mean to a raven, it may remember (and tell its flock) for years.

Habitat and diet

Opportunistic generalists. Summer: insects, berries. Winter: carrion (wolf kills, roadkill), human leftovers. Unlike many birds, ravens stay in Banff all winter.

Viewing

Do not feed ravens. Parks Canada has a strict “Do Not Feed” policy; feeding makes them aggressive, dependent, and draws them to roadsides where they are hit by cars. Keep food secured.

Runs

The resort’s Raven and Crow Bowl runs in the Back Bowls are named for these clever mountain residents. Occasionally a rare leucistic (partially white) raven is spotted near Lake Louise; a local celebrity.