Raven

Hand made and hand painted.

Materials: high quality native hardwood (maple and elm), finished with environmentally sound oils and lacquers

Size: 45 mm H (1.8 inches)

Made in Germany

Facts:
The Raven is a large, all-black bird in the crow family.

Some remarkable feats of problem-solving have been observed in the species, leading to the belief that it is highly intelligent. Over the centuries, it has been the subject of mythology, folklore, art and literature.

Eggs and hatchlings are rarely preyed on by large hawks and eagles, large owls, martens and canids. The adults, with no known natural predators, are often successful in defending their young from these predators, due to their numbers, large size and cunning. They have been observed dropping stones on potential predators that venture close to their nests.

Like other corvids, Ravens can mimic sounds from their environment, including human speech. Fifteen to 30 categories of vocalization have been recorded for this species, most of which are used for social interaction. Calls recorded include alarm calls, chase calls, and flight calls. Non-vocal sounds produced by the Raven include wing whistles and bill snapping. If a member of a pair is lost, its mate reproduces the calls of its lost partner to encourage its return.

Ravens are known to steal and cache shiny objects such as pebbles, pieces of metal, and golf balls.

In recent years, biologists have recognized that birds engage in play. Juvenile Ravens are among the most playful of bird species. They have been observed to slide down snowbanks, apparently purely for fun. They even engage in games with other species, such as playing catch-me-if-you-can with wolves and dogs. Common Ravens are known for spectacular acrobatic displays, such as flying in loops or interlocking talons with each other in flight.

They are also one of only a few species who make their own toys. They have been observed breaking off twigs to play with socially.