About Corvus albicollis Latham, 1790
The white-necked raven (Corvus albicollis Latham, 1790) has a noticeably shorter tail than the common raven. It also has a deeper bill with a white tip that is almost as strongly curved as the bill of the thick-billed raven. While its plumage is predominantly black, the feathers of the throat, breast, and neck display a faint purple sheen. A large patch of white feathers covers the nape of its neck. It soars very well, and uses shallower wingbeats than other members of the Corvidae family. This species is found in eastern and southern Africa, where it lives in open, mountainous terrain. It is quite common in small towns and villages, as long as mountains or hills for roosting and nesting are located relatively nearby. The species is strongly associated with mountains, as it builds its nests on cliff ledges. For this reason, it is often found in montane grasslands.
