The Common Raven is wide-ranging throughout much of North America utilizing a variety ofhabitats from deserts in the southwestern U.S. to tundra habitats in Arctic Alaska (Boarman andHeinrich 2000). Historically, this species did not nest in the northern portion of the ArcticCoastal Plain of Alaska but with the growing human presence in the region, particularly from oildevelopment activities, they have been able to utilize human structures for nesting (Johnson andHerter 1989, Day 1998). Ravens are a generalist species and take advantage of a wide variety ofprey and are a noted nest predator. Although some individuals may move south in the winter,many remain on the coastal plain (Johnson and Herter 1989). The global population is estimatedat 16 million (Rich et al. 2004).
