Thick-billed raven, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia

Bigger, bolder, beakier. Thick-billed raven, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia

Perched high in the mountains of Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia, the thick-billed raven holds the title of the world's largest raven. At more than 70 centimetres in length and weighing around 1.5 kilograms, it is about a quarter heavier than the common raven. Its enormous, arched bill—pale at the base and close to 9 centimetres long—is the largest among perching birds. These ravens live mostly between 1,500 and 3,400 metres above sea level, found across farmland, rocky cliffs and even rooftops in mountain towns.

Thick-billed ravens are versatile feeders, taking carrion, insects, beetle larvae, seeds and crops like wheat, along with scraps from people. Observers have seen them pulling grubs from dung heaps and even forcing Verreaux's eagle-owls from their nests. Often seen in pairs or small groups, they build large stick nests on cliffs or tall trees, laying three to five bluish-green eggs. Their calls range from deep croaks to wheezy notes and rare instances of mimicry have been recorded. Their plumage gleams purple in sunlight, a striking figure of the African highlands. Classified as 'least-concern' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the thick-billed raven continues to thrive. Though not found in India, it belongs to the same corvid family as the Indian jungle crow, a familiar bird across the subcontinent.