Abstract
An order of priority in access to drinking water at a point source was monitored in an aviary-reared group of 8 juvenile common ravens (Corvus corax). During a 20-day period, dyadic encounters (threats and/or fights) involving rights of priority to water were recorded daily after 13.5 hr. of water deprivation. All five of the males held higher rank in the priority order than did any of the females. Physical attributes measured at 20 weeks of age indicated greater body weight of the males, but the two sexes were similar in other physical respects. Nonetheless, body weight, body circumference at the shoulder girdle, and distance from tibiotarsus (right) to claw tip were directly related to status in the order of drinking priority among the eight ravens. Wingspread, however, was inversely correlated with rank. The importance of these four attributes in agonistic displays by ravens is considered.