RAVENS

RAVEN (Corvus corax)

Raven carcasses pulled from a Golden Eagle nest
Santa Cruz Island, 2006

RAVENS (Corvus corax), largest members of the crow family, are skilled fliers known for their aerobatic maneuvers and rolls. They are abundant residents on Santa Rosa and Santa Cruz islands, as well as residents of Anacapa and San Miguel islands, and Santa Barbara Island transients. Historically, ravens were considered a great menace to livestock and vineyards on the islands. Ravens are classified in the phylum Chordata, subphylum Vertebrata, class Aves, order Passiformes, family Corvidae. Ravens are bigger than crows and often occur in pairs or alone, as opposed to crows which commonly occur in flocks. There are no crows on the California Channel Islands.

There was a saying in Spanish used by an old time vaquero on Santa Cruz Island. that Ravens:

“son las almas de los indios. Vuelvan a molestar los blancos” which translates as the Ravens are the souls of the Indians that have returned to molest the white men.

Early Raven collectors include: Henry W. Henshaw who collected ravens on Santa Cruz Island on June 11, 1875 now in the the U.S. National Museum of Natural History. Two raven skins from Santa Catalina Island are in the U.S. National Museum of Natural History: one collected by Clark P. Streator in 1892 (#139471) and the other by Howard Wright in 1908 (#417023). A raven skull collected by Paul Schumacher on Santa Catalina Island in 1875 is in the U.S. National Museum of Natural History (#15662). Edgar A. Mearns collected four raven skins from San Clemente Island in 1894 also in the collections (#113456-135459).

Eli Whitney Blake, Jr. visited Santa Cruz Island twice in 1886: from July 4- July 24, and again August 6-September 3. During his visits, Blake camped in a canyon near Platt's Harbor. He noted:

Corvus corax sinuatus. American Raven. — Very common; feeds on the dead sheep. Nests on inaccessible cliffs, often at some distance from the sea.

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RAVENS: SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND

ISLAND	COLLECTOR	INSTITUTION	DATE	NUMBER	SPECIMEN
San Clemente Island	Joseph Grinnell	MVZ	March 28, 1897	MVZ-33847	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Clemente Island	A. W. Anthony	Carnegie MNH	August 23, 1894	CMNH-17046	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Clemente Island	A. W. Anthony	Carnegie MNH	August 25, 1894	CMNH-14047	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Clemente Island	A. W. Anthony	Carnegie MNH	August 25, 1894	CMNH-17048	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Clemente Island	A. W. Anthony	Carnegie MNH	August 28, 1894	CMNH-17049	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Clemente Island	O. W. Howard	WFVZ	April 5, 1905	WFVZ-118645	Corvus corax	Eggs

RAVENS: SAN MIGUEL ISLAND

ISLAND	COLLECTOR	INSTITUTION	DATE	NUMBER	SPECIMEN
San Miguel Island	J. E. Green	MVZ	September 21, 1927	MVZ-51498	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Chester Lamb	MVZ	September 22, 1927	MVZ-51499	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	J. E. Green	MVZ	September 25, 1927	MVZ-51498	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Chester Lamb	MVZ	September 25, 1927	MVZ-51500	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31311	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31312	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31313	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31314	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31315	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31316	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31317	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31318	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31319	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31320	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31321	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31322	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31323	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31324	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31325	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31326	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31327	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31328	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31329	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31330	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31331	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31332	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31334	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31334	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31335	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31336	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31337	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31338	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31339	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
San Miguel Island	Herbert Lester	UCLA	Spring 1930	UCLA-31340	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds

January 14, 1888 [Minnie Waters’ diary]: “Will [Captain William G. Waters] shot a big crow [raven] this afternoon. Wish he could shoot them all.”

RAVENS: SAN NICOLAS ISLAND

1945: Ornithologist Egmont Rett reported on San Nicolas Island: “Several pet ravens hung around the camp and came at [the cook's] call, and when he was jeeping with us over the island, Jim, Blackie and Sue would fly for miles following us.” Ravens are larger than crows; they often appear alone, in pairs, or with a few offspring, but not in flocks like crows; and they occur in dry open areas.

RAVENS: SANTA BARBARA ISLAND

November 11-12, 1928: “Some new records for Santa Barbara Island… Two ravens were noted. They have been doubtlessly attracted to the island by some recently imported sheep which are rapidly dying because of the absence of fresh water on this island. There will be plenty of wool for their nests next spring.” J. R. Pemberton Some new records for Santa Barbara Island in Condor 31:1 (37) January-February, 1929.

RAVENS: SANTA CATALINA ISLAND

ISLAND	COLLECTOR	INSTITUTION	DATE	NUMBER	SPECIMEN
Santa Catalina Island	C. P. Streator	NMNH	April 26, 1892	USNM-139471	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
Santa Catalina Island	Frank Stephens	MCZ	March 25, 1893	MCZ-187936	Corvus corax	Birds
Santa Catalina Island	C. H. Richardson	WFVZ	April 19, 1905	WFVZ-113833	Corvus corax	Eggs
Santa Catalina Island	H. W. Wright	CAS	September 3, 1907	CAS-77570	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
Santa Catalina Island	H. W. Wright	NMNH	September 3, 1907	USNM-417023	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
Santa Catalina Island	H. W. Wright	NMNH	March 23, 1910	USNM-417023	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
Santa Catalina Island	unknown	UMMZ	April 15, 1917	UMMZ-113413	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds
Santa Catalina Island	Alden H. Miller	MVZ	March 21, 1921	MVZ-3950	Corvus corax sinuatus	Eggs

April 18, 1897 [NYT]: “California Island life… A story of some foxes without tails, cunning ravens with a fondness for chickens, bald eagles in plenty… Perhaps the most interesting birds on Santa Catalina are the ravens, which live near the little town of Avalon, and amuse themselves by pulling vocal corks and robbing the fishermen. The methods of these birds well illustrate their cunning...”

RAVENS: SANTA CRUZ ISLAND

ISLAND	COLLECTOR	INSTITUTION	DATE	NUMBER	SPECIMEN
Santa Cruz Island	R. H. Canterbury	WFVZ	April 12, 1918	WFVZ-34562	Corvus corax	Eggs
Santa Cruz Island	R. H. Canterbury	SBMNH	April 13, 1918	SBMNH-24944	Corvus corax	Eggs
Santa Cruz Island	R. H. Canterbury	SBMNH	March 27, 1919	SBMNH-24945	Corvus corax	Eggs
Santa Cruz Island	W. L. Dawson	SBMNH	April 15, 1919	SBMNH-24947	Corvus corax	Eggs
Santa Cruz Island	R. H. Canterbury	SBMNH	April 17, 1919	SBMNH-24948	Corvus corax	Eggs
Santa Cruz Island	W. L. Dawson	SBMNH	April 22, 1919	SBMNH-24949	Corvus corax	Eggs
Santa Cruz Island	M. M. Peet	UMMZ	November 4, 1935	UMMZ-234919	Corvus corax sinuatus	Birds

1886: Ornithologist Eli Whitney Blake, Jr. camped at Platt's Harbor, Santa Cruz Island twice in 1886, first on July 4-24, 1886 and again on August 6- September 3, 1886. He reported: “American ravens very common; feeds on the dead sheep. Nests on inaccessible cliffs, often at some distance from the sea.” » Summer Birds of Santa Cruz Island, California in Auk 4: (328-330) 1887; Nesting Habits of Empidonax insulicola in Auk 14: (405-406) 1897.

May 20, 1918 [SCICo]: “…The actual expense of herding [the sheep] will be apparently a good deal greater than by our present methods, but will really prove to be less: the loss of sheep from ravens, wild hogs and fishermen will be materially reduced…”

1919-1923: The crows [ravens] were the most ornery, mean, audacious, intelligent, and interesting of all the birds. There were a number of them who made the Main Ranch their hangout. Hangout is the only word that fits the place where such a bunch of thieves and cut-throats made their home… Occasionally when I thought there were too many of them, that they were getting too cocky, or maybe I was just tired of their cawing, I would take my shotgun, walk down towards the matanza and give them a bad time. Some would fly up and perch in the tall eucalyptus trees and others would gather in a clear spot on the hillside about a quarter of a mile away but every one of them would spend the next half hour telling me what they thought of me and all my relatives.” They would peck the eyes out of newborn sheep and calves to gain a meal. » McElrath, Clifford On Santa Cruz Island 1967.

1919-1923 “The stableman, Abelino Lugo, a dour old California Spaniard who seemed to croak with the voice of doom when he spoke, would look at the crows [ravens] and remark half to himself, “son las almas de los indios. Vuelvan a molestar los blancos” (They are the souls of the Indians. They have returned to pester the white people.) After I had been on the island for a while I more than half way believed he was right.” » McElrath, CLifford On Santa Cruz Island, 1967.

January 1920: “In January of this year I picked up in a field at Santa Cruz Island, California, a pellet presumably ejected by a Raven (Corvus corax sinuatus). The pellet was three inches long with a diameter of one inch. It was examined by Mr. H. C. Bryant, of the California Fish and Game Commission, who writes: ‘Without pulling the pellet to pieces, I discovered the following elements: parts of two Camel crickets (Stenopalmatus sp.); parts of grasshoppers; 20 seeds of Poison Oak (Rhus diversiloba); hulls of Wild Oats (Avena fatua).’…” Ralph Hoffmann. Auk 37(3):453-454, July 1920.

September 21, 1920 [SCICo]: McElrath requested the grapes be picked at once to avoid loss through ravens. The total grape output for 1920 was low largely due to the actions of these birds. Long the subject of superstition and legend, ravens can be tamed and taught to mimic human speech.

September 27, 1920 [SCICo]: “I hardly think the total output [of grapes] will reach 100 tons this year largely due to the combined actions of hogs and crows [ravens.] The last mentioned having taken a sudden and very strong liking for grapes. Last year the yield was 137 tons. I believe that with enough men to properly care for and guard the vineyard against hogs and crows [ravens] this year’s yield could be doubled or nearly so.”

[1922 Symes Report]: “Eagles and ravens are responsible for a loss in sheep, particularly very young lambs.”

January 3, 1939 [SBNP]: The Santa Barbara News Press reported that the Santa Cruz Island Company was appealing for government aid in fighting ravens because they “attack and destroy newly-born lambs and sheep that for any reason are too weak to protect themselves.” The ravens are described as “worse than either hogs or eagles because they were more difficult to eradicate. Trapping, shooting and poisoning have been a means of defense taken by the island owners, but a more systematic means of ridding the island must be taken.”

August 29-September 14, 1948 [O. P. Pearson Field Notes]: “… In the evening talked with Red Craine, the ship captain and manager. He says Stanton brought in 20,000 tame ewes one year, but had trouble with ravens attacking the lambs…”

RAVENS: SANTA ROSA ISLAND

March 23, 1876 [BowersFN]: “Santa Rosa Island. I was struck with the abundance of ravens on this island. I have not seen this bird for many years in the states.”

April 2, 1876 [BowersFN]: “Santa Rosa Island. I found an eagle’s nest with two eggs.”

May 8, 1876 [SBDN]: “Santa Rosa Island... Birds are numerous, the most noticeable being the bald eagle and the raven... The ravens are abundant and very tame...”