Common Raven vs Emperor Penguin

Corvus corax compared with Aptenodytes forsteri

Key Differences

• Common Raven is Not Evaluated while Emperor Penguin is Near Threatened.
• Common Raven is omnivore while Emperor Penguin is carnivore.
• Emperor Penguin is 33.3x heavier than Common Raven.
• Emperor Penguin lives longer (20 years vs 15 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common Raven	Emperor Penguin
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Aves (Birds)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Passeriformes (Songbirds)	Sphenisciformes (Penguins)
Family	Corvidae (Crows & Ravens)	Spheniscidae (Penguins)
Genus	Corvus (Crows & Ravens)	Aptenodytes (Great Penguins)
Species	Corvus corax	Aptenodytes forsteri

Evolutionary Relationship

Common Raven and Emperor Penguin share a common ancestor at the Class level: Aves. (Birds)

Conservation Status

Common Raven

NE — Not Evaluated

Population: ~16.0M

Trend: Increasing ↑

Emperor Penguin

NT — Near Threatened

Population: ~595.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common Raven	Emperor Penguin
Diet	Omnivore	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	15 years	20 years
Average Length	60 cm	1.1 m
Average Weight	1.2 kg	40.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common Raven

Habitat

Typically found in a wide range of habitat types.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries) and North America (United States).

Emperor Penguin

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, temperate coniferous forests, and boreal forests and taiga, among 4 distinct biome types within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Norway. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

Common Raven

One of the most intelligent birds known, common ravens demonstrate problem-solving abilities rivaling great apes, including tool use, planning, and deceptive behavior. Found across the Northern Hemisphere from Arctic tundra to deserts, ravens are highly adaptable omnivores. They form complex social hierarchies, engage in cooperative foraging, and have been observed engaging in play. Their intelligence and black plumage have made them figures of mythology across many cultures.

Emperor Penguin

The world's largest penguin, emperor penguins stand up to 1.2 meters and weigh 45 kg, inhabiting the Antarctic continent in some of the most extreme conditions on Earth. They breed in midwinter darkness at temperatures below -60°C, with males incubating single eggs on their feet under a brood pouch for 65 days while females are at sea. Their huddling behavior — cycling individuals through the warm center of thousands-strong groups — is a masterclass in cooperative survival.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 1 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway