The Raven: A Natural History in Britain and Ireland

Poyser Monographs

by Derek Ratcliffe

Well-known throughout the Northern Hemisphere, the Raven has a prominent place in myth, legend, and history. This book presents a thorough summary of the current state of knowledge regarding the Raven's natural history, describing its present distribution, habitat requirements, calls, feeding habits, social behavior, and population centers. The text focuses on the Raven's ecology in the United Kingdom, but is of interest worldwide to both amateurs and professionals. It contains useful comparisons of the Northern Hemisphere species. Brought to life through beautiful detailed illustrations, maps, and tables, this is a valuable study on one of the most spectacular and romantic of British birds.



Key Features:





Provides a rare glimpse into Raven ecology/biology in the U.K.

Features beautiful illustrations, along with useful maps and tables

Emphasizes the long association of the bird with humans

Contains current information on feeding habits, breeding, territorialism, intelligence, and distribution

Genres: Birds

348 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Derek Almey Ratcliffe was one of the most significant English nature conservationists of the 20th century. He was Chief Scientist for the Nature Conservancy Council at the Monks Wood Experimental Station, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, retiring in 1989. Ratcliffe was the author of the 1977 Nature Conservation Review, a document which set out the most important sites for nature conservation in the United Kingdom. He also published various works on nature and conservation.