Ravens are truly incredible creatures who have been written about, studied, and admired by many.
But what do we really know about ravens?
These birds are capable of solving complex puzzles that we once thought could only be completed by primates. They can think logically, recognize faces, hold grudges, feel anxiety, and seek out fun.
If you're already surprised by all this information, read on to find out 10 more amazing facts about these gorgeous black-feathered birds. This new knowledge will certainly give you a renewed perspective on the term "birdbrain."
Did you know all this about these mysterious large birds? I had no idea they're so similar to us in so many ways.
Have you ever encountered a raven in your own backyard and been curious about what was going on in his head?
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Left Thumbnail Photo: Pixabay
1. They Were Once Thought Of As Pests
In the 19th century, ravens were thought to be a threat to game birds, and were therefore widely exterminated as pests, according to WYPR.
2. Native American Cultures See Them As Heroes
In the mythology of many Native American tribes of the Northwest, ravens are considered wise, cunning heroes. They're also thought to be tricksters who are susceptible to gluttony, greed, and patience, but they are mainly seen as amazing symbols of honor, according to Native Languages.
3. They Are Scavengers And Hunters
Ravens get their food by both scavenging and hunting for it. When they do hunt, they use cooperative methods with other ravens to score their meal, according to National Geographic.
4. They Know A Good Deal When They See One
Ravens are known to be incredibly intelligent animals, but we're finding out more and more about their brains as more research is done. In June 2017, National Geographic reported that these birds are capable of recognizing and assessing who will give them the best deal in a trade.
A study published in Animal Bevaviour showed that ravens remembered who'd given them a better deal. Ravens chose handlers that had previously fed them cheese over handlers that had previously eaten their cheese — after a whole month had passed since the first cheese trade!
5. They Weigh Just Over 2 Pounds
Ravens are on the bigger side when it comes to birds. Ravens weigh approximately 2.3 pounds, according to National Geographic. That may not seem like much, but compared to a bluebird, which weighs only .075 pounds (1.2 oz.), that's gigantic!
6. They Can Talk
Yep, just like parrots and some other birds, ravens can learn to speak. Mischief the raven has gotten a lot of attention for his talkative nature.
7. They Can Also Talk With Their "Hands"
Well, not their hands, but they do exhibit gestural behavior much like human hand gestures. They point their beaks toward objects to get other ravens to look, and they hold objects up to get other ravens' attention, according to Live Science.
8. They Do Weird Things With Ants
Ravens and many other bird species do some weird and largely unexplainable things with ants. They take ants in their beaks and rub them on their feathers, or sometimes they even sit atop an anthill and let them crawl between their feathers. Some scientists think the ants' secretion is somehow beneficial to the bird, others think it might just feel nice.
Whatever the reason may be, it's pretty creepy to humans!
9. They Make And Play With Toys
According to All About Birds, young ravens often play with sticks by dropping them midair and flying to catch them before they hit the ground. They also like to slide down snowy rooftops in the winter and have been seen flying upside down for no apparent reason aside from the fun of it.
10. They Mate For Life
Common ravens are believed to mate for life, according to the National Audubon Society. To get that mate, they sing to each other and preen each others' feathers.
How romantic!
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