Corvids are incredible. They are tough and have strong survival abilities. One factor contributing to their survival success is their diverse dietary habits.
Ravens are both omnivorous and opportunistic feeders. They will feed on simple prey they can digest, including living organisms and plant matter. So, here’s a list of fruits and vegetables that ravens enjoy.
| Fruits | Vegetable |
| Unsalted peanuts and other nuts, like hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, etc | Seeds- sunflower, pumpkin, etc. (Ravens prefer bigger seeds since their beaks are large.) |
| Apples | Corn on the cob |
| Berries | Wheat |
| Watermelons | Alfalfa |
| Blueberries | Kales |
| Figs | Spinach |
| Grapes | |
| Cranberries | |
| Acorns |
Note: Ravens eat fruits, nuts, and vegetables but are considered scavengers. As a result, they favor meat, carrion or decaying remains, invertebrates, small rodents, mammals, etc.
Do crows eat fruit?
Crows are ravens’ smaller cousins. They are more inclined to experiment with non-animal meals than live or dead ones.
Similar to ravens, crows are omnivores. It indicates that they consume various fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, berries, mice, invertebrates, mammals, etc. However, it is often said that fruits and seeds make up more than 70% of a crow’s diet. Here is a list of fruits and veggies preferred by crows.
Aconcagua (CC BY-SA 3.0)
| Fruits | Vegetable |
| Unsalted peanuts and other nuts, like hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, etc | Seeds- pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, etc. |
| Apples | Corn on the cob |
| Berries | Wheat |
| Watermelons | Alfalfa |
| Grapes | Kales |
| Red osier dogwood fruits | Spinach (in small quantities, as it contains Oxalic acid, which may cause problems.) |
| Bittersweet nightshade berries | Oats |
| Peaches | Poison ivy |
| Pecans | Pumpkins |
| Pistachio | Beans |
| Wild cherries | Peas |
| Figs | Peppers |
| Pears | Potatoes |
Whenever you are feeding corvids with fruits like apples, peaches, pears, and cherries, remember to remove their pits and seeds.
Note: Did you know that crows favor pet food as well? Yes, the small pellet dog or cat food that crows can readily carry seems to appeal to them. Additionally, these foods are simple for them to digest. But give them pet foods in controlled portions.
Food to avoid feeding corvids
While feeding crows and ravens, it is crucial to concentrate on the food that corvids shouldn’t be fed. They may be toxic and difficult for them to digest. So, if you intend to feed crows and ravens, here are a few foods you must not include.
| Sugar |
| Salt |
| White bread |
| Salted, sweetened, or roasted nuts |
| Seasoned meat |
| Chocolate |
| Caffeinated beverages |
| Dairy products |
| Avocado |
| Alcohol |
| Mushrooms |
| Onions, garlic, and chives |
| Tomato leaves and stems |
| Food containing Xylitol (a sugar substitute) |
Summary
Both crows and ravens favor including fruits and vegetables in their diet. Crows, as opposed to ravens, exhibit a stronger liking for fruits and vegetables. Ravens prefer to eat live animals and animal carcasses for food.
