White-necked Raven

Afrikaans name: Withalskraai

Photo © Steven Herbert

Corvus albicollis

The White-necked Raven is a large bird with a biggish bill. It is all black except for a white patch on the back of the neck.

This bird is found over most of the southern and eastern regions of South Africa. Further north it occurs up to Tanzania.

This bird will eat just about anything. Smaller mammals, tortoises and other reptiles, birds, insects and even some plants find their way on to the menu of the White-necked Raven.

White-necked Ravens breed on ledges on cliffs or in a hole in a rock face. They normally lay 4 eggs.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	524	Corvultur albicollis
2nd	524	Corvultur albicollis
3rd	524	Corvultur albicollis
4th	524	Corvultur albicollis
5th	550	Corvus albicollis
6th	550	Corvus albicollis
7th	572	Corvus albicollis

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	524	Cape Raven
2nd	524	Cape Raven
3rd	524	White-necked Raven
4th	524	White-necked Raven
5th	550	Whitenecked Raven
6th	550	Whitenecked Raven
7th	572	White-necked Raven

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	524	Withals-kraai
2nd	524	Withals-kraai
3rd	524	Withals-kraai
4th	524	Withals-kraai
5th	550	Withalskraai
6th	550	Withalskraai
7th	572	Withalskraai

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 174

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 65

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 217

The Birds of South Africa - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1979 - Page: 33

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 43

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 119

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 306

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 292

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 476

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 482

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 358

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 372

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 222

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 278

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 300

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 300

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 412

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 214

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 152

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 166

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 45

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 181

Birds of the Natal Drakensberg Park - Author: Robin Little and William Bainbridge - Published: 1992 - Page: 72

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 87

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 159

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 196

Birds of Southern Africa - Kruger National Park - Author: Kenneth Newman - Published: 1985 - Page: 158

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 41

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 41

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 214

BirdLife South Africa

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List of South African Birds