- checking login information
Loading...Friend or Foe? Ravens Remember and Recognize
Ravens are one of the most social, intelligent and clever birds on Earth. Similar in appearance to the crow but significantly larger, the raven has historically been both feared and revered by many cultures around the world. Edgar Allen Poe famously wrote about the bird in this poem “The Raven,” and ravens have maintained a mysterious reputation across centuries as witnessed in common folklore. Still, how much do we know about these creatures in lieu of their iconic place in a spooky fable?
Recent studies have shown that ravens are remarkably intelligent — so much so in fact that they can recall friends or foes for years after an encounter. Markus Boeckle and Thomas Bugnyar from the University of Vienna found that ravens, are on par mentally with dolphins and great apes. Ravens, much like humans, memorize and categorize relationship bonds and affiliations with other animals.
They even have different calls based on association. For example, Boeckle and Bugnyar observed that strangers and foes received a harsh, unwelcoming call, whereas companions received a more welcoming greeting.
Clearly other animals have the ability to recall information, but what’s particularly noteworthy about ravens is the fact that they recall cues for such extended periods of time and apply that knowledge to their behavior — for at least three years, but likely longer. In addition, the raven’s ability to conduct logic games is also an impressive display of their intellect and recall ability. According to Scientific American, “Ravens have the ability to test actions in their minds [and] that capacity is probably lacking, or present only to a limited extent, in most animals.”
Given all their remarkable traits, it’s curious more people aren’t in awe of ravens. On the contrary, most people tend to dislike them, or even loathe them. Perhaps it’s psychological, or perhaps as a society we’ve grown apprehensive of a bird that not only scavenges, but is smart like us. Whatever the reason, ravens deserve at least more awareness for their remarkable traits, or possibly a bit less bad press.
Related Stories:
Read more: animals, behavior, birds, environment, folklore, intelligence, psychology, raven
Photo Credit: Nyo
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
Recent Comments from Causes
thanks
WHO CARES?
Just curious. If abortion was made illegal, what would the punishment for the woman be? How many years…
meet our writers
123 comments
+ add your ownTHANK YOU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm5zgSpdkB4
does this mean that ravens don't share the similar characteristics to the crows?
They are the smartest birds! ...and smashingly beautiful too!
interesting article, thanks for sharing :)
Cool.
We're fortunate to have ravens and crows where we live. The ravens are much more timid than the crows and much larger, which becomes apparent when the two species are together. We've managed to friend the crows-they look from a nearby tree each morning and peer into my kitchen window until I come out and toss them breakfast. The ravens, have a richer, throatier caw than the crows and we hear them much more often than see them as they stay off in the distance.
Just remember "Quote the Raven Nevermore" :-0
Ravens are beautiful intelligent creatures & have suffered predjudice following silly Human superstitions. Cats were feared & loathed in the past too. I think that all animals need to beware of US!!!
i think having a pet raven/crow would be neat or just sort having a wild one who that has become friendly to you.
Ravens and other corvids are social survivors who benefit from the experience of every bember of their flock. This pattern is not unlike the interdependence of wolves in a pack and results in corvids bonding well with humans.
I have encountered one raven who lived with a family for many years and who appeared starved for attention when moved to a zoo. He tried to entice every visitor into the object-trading game.
Corvids, especially ravens could be better companions for humans than parrots which have a weaker group bond but a much stronger pair bond. A raven can be friends with an entire family while a parrot is more likely to see one person as its mate and the remainder as competitors.
In the U.S. all corvids are listed as wild animals who may only be cared for by those with special permits. Given that no native corvid is threatened or at risk and that most parrot species are threatened or at risk, why not change the rules?
login to add your comment
use your care2 login
add your comment