Common Raven
This may be Alaska's most familiar bird. At least as big as a cat, the ravens that live around here are larger than the ravens in the lower 48 (states), and much, much larger than crows (which don't live here at all). The raven is the largest song bird--though I have yet to hear one sing. ;)
I will often see them alone, in large groups of ten or even more, or in small groups, and sometimes just two together. I have been told that ravens mate for life, but some do not find mates, so they hang out in gangs of both gender.
When only a few ravens are around, they generally aren't very messy, but when a large group hangs around for awhile, you may find yourself having to clean a lot of excrement off of things, such as your dogs' chainlink fence. It is also primarily because of these large birds that you should never leave your garbage outside in a bag alone. Their large beaks have no trouble tearing garbage bags open and strewing trash everywhere.
I will often see them alone, in large groups of ten or even more, or in small groups, and sometimes just two together. I have been told that ravens mate for life, but some do not find mates, so they hang out in gangs of both gender.
When only a few ravens are around, they generally aren't very messy, but when a large group hangs around for awhile, you may find yourself having to clean a lot of excrement off of things, such as your dogs' chainlink fence. It is also primarily because of these large birds that you should never leave your garbage outside in a bag alone. Their large beaks have no trouble tearing garbage bags open and strewing trash everywhere.
Another word to the wise; do not leave full dogfood bags outside; you may find them full of holes pecked by ravens in a short amount of time.
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The funniest experience I ever had with a raven exploring linguistics, however, was one day last year (2010) when I was sitting out on the porch swing listening to the chickadees singing and a raven cawing every now and then, when suddenly I heard the raven squawk, "Chick-chickadee!" I generally think of ravens as fearless and free. I do not see them as much in the summer since they usually go out and summer farther into the wilderness, but in the winter especially, I often see them flying around playing with each other. I will often find prints in the snow from their wings brushing the ground while they play. Their footprints are also some of the most common tracks seen in the snow. While they like to fly, they also hop around a lot.
One of the most majestic things I have ever seen is without a doubt, a raven soaring. And one of the most amusing, was when I watched a raven purposely flying into the wind to "catch waves" so to speak. It was some wind...and I am glad he knew what he was doing. He must have been an expert wind-surfer.
Ravens will eat almost anything. They are generally scavengers, but I have read that they will occasionally hunt small prey. They are very vocal, often letting out screeches, croaks, and sounds that I can't even describe--there is this one kind of gutteral sound that reminds me of a stone dropping into water. I can't even begin to imitate that sound. However, I have become skilled enough in imitating their screeches and caws that sometimes when I let them out, I will see a raven looking around trying to find where the raven who just called is. (They're probably really wondering why someone would have just said what they said, too, since I have no idea what I'm saying to them.)
Last summer (2010), a few ravens stayed around our place for the summer. I got to witness how they sleep because of this. Late, late at night when it was still light, my sister and I were still playing outside. There were two ravens just sitting up in the trees with their beaks tucked kind of under their wings on their shoulders.
One of the most majestic things I have ever seen is without a doubt, a raven soaring. And one of the most amusing, was when I watched a raven purposely flying into the wind to "catch waves" so to speak. It was some wind...and I am glad he knew what he was doing. He must have been an expert wind-surfer.
Ravens will eat almost anything. They are generally scavengers, but I have read that they will occasionally hunt small prey. They are very vocal, often letting out screeches, croaks, and sounds that I can't even describe--there is this one kind of gutteral sound that reminds me of a stone dropping into water. I can't even begin to imitate that sound. However, I have become skilled enough in imitating their screeches and caws that sometimes when I let them out, I will see a raven looking around trying to find where the raven who just called is. (They're probably really wondering why someone would have just said what they said, too, since I have no idea what I'm saying to them.)
Last summer (2010), a few ravens stayed around our place for the summer. I got to witness how they sleep because of this. Late, late at night when it was still light, my sister and I were still playing outside. There were two ravens just sitting up in the trees with their beaks tucked kind of under their wings on their shoulders.