In the Company of Ravens

What do Van Gogh, Shakespeare, the Hopi and Kayukon People, Mark Twain, and the rock band The Counting Crows have in common? They all draw inspiration from some of our most common, but least understood birds: the crow and the raven. Dr. John Marzluff, Professor of Wildlife Science at the University of Washington, leads us on an investigation of the inspiration of ravens on people and our effects on these adaptable birds.
Dedication Ceremony for the UAS Raven Sculpture
With remarks from UAS Chancellor John Pugh, Artwork & Artist Selection Committee member Alice Tersteeg, Artist & UAS Alumna Lisa Rickey, and UAS Alumni & Friends Treasurer Jerry Burnett.
Recorded September 12, 2008
Sponsored by: University of Alaska Southeast
Produced by: UAS Video Production Services
© 2008 University of Alaska Southeast
Running Time: 1 hour, 46 minutes

[@JohnSmith-dq4dx]

I have built a strong bond with ravens. They come everyday now - at the same time. It took some time - but we trust each other. I love them. I worry for them - but I know they are wiser than us.

[@buttclef]

I'm in BC in Van, and I know a native guy at work (Haida) who told me humourously that his grandad told him the story of humanity being let out of a clam by the raven, and then showed his hands, thumbs and index fingers together, in an oval shape and told him "We all come from a clam" :)

[@katiea545]

There were a lot of Magpies that hung around my mother’s house growing up. She absolutely hated them (but wasn’t one of those people who would hurt an animal for such a petty reason), but I thought they were beautiful birds. One year they built a nest in a tree in our backyard and as the babies were still mostly grounded and learning to fly, they would wander in through the back door to my room and we’d quietly watch each other before they’d walk back out again. Later on in the season one of the babies got caught in a rose bush and, while it was definitely frightened, it didn’t hurt me as I freed it and it’s parents didn’t heckle me either. Fast forward a few years and there was another nest my own bird had flown way too close to and gotten stuck near. I was terrified they would hurt him, or hurt my sister as she got the ladder up there to get him out, especially since I could clearly hear the babies reacting to the disturbance and they were not familiar at all with her, but the adults seemed very patient with us while we fetched him and knew we weren’t a threat. I have no idea if it’s the same family or not, or if it’s just coincidental, but I like to think they remembered me and could tell we weren’t going to cause them any grief.

[@ceylanipekel5399]

Thank you very much for sharing. I am currently watching this from Turkey, and wouldn't have the chance to learn about Ravens, if you hadn't uploaded this lecture. Therefore I give you my respect and thanks…

[@markdemell3717]

Greetings from ,Quebec.

[@gracekeepsittogether4322]

Wow I didn't realize ravens are so large. Glad saw this lecture

[@YiannisPho]

Fascinating lecture by Dr. Marzluff. I really enjoyed the breadth and depth of his knowledge. The man is a walking encyclopedia on the super-intelligent crows and ravens. (On top of this, he has a wicked sense of humor.) Well worth listening to this lecture if you are a corvid enthusiast.

[@YiannisPho]

A Nature documentary, The Secret Life of Crows, available at KZbin, is a great companion to the above lecture. It shows visually much of what the lecture covers.

[@stormysampson1257]

Ravens are sort of territorial. A mated pair will have their own territory. We have a mated pair and their two 'chicks'...baby huey's one from the year before and the second from the past year. Big birds! We had this...gathering or whatever a few weeks ago. It is clear that the Raven pair ALLOWED their friends to come to a 'party'? We had just dumped a bunch of chips we cleaned out of our cupboards. Not unusual but for some reason up to 60 Ravens were invited for a one time event. Haven't seen that MOB since. Only the 4 in the original family are seen and heard every day. That is when I looked up Ravens and wished I had taken pictures! I guess this gathering was an honor of sorts. Crows get together in big mobs but Ravens are territorial. Awesome, huge, intelligent birds. They keep the predatory birds out of the area, good for baby bunnies and kittens. Although, Ravens will help themselves. I feed them intermittently with kitchen scraps. That helps to keep the Ravens and cats happy enough to allow some baby bunnies live. Ugh. Unless a person needs to eat and will eat the bird they kill...there is no reason to kill crows, Ravens for sure...no reason to kill any animal.

[@Plant-Mama]

I have been feeding a family of crows daily same time 3 months now, they are always there waiting or come when I call. A lot of the time they will share with a pigeon or 2, seagull comes in and it will go after it. 🤪 found it odd but can understand the seagull is a hog all food gone in just a few seconds. They are fearless birds and when I’m around I feel those vibes hardcore. They know more than us, see the world differently. I’m feeding them because I felt the pole towards them. I recently got a piece of glass that was shaped as a crystal I believe it was from the Male crow as a thank you. ✌🏼❤️

[@Lemon8]

A few years ago while riding my bike during twilight in my hometown Rotterdam, Holland, a crow flew into the side of my head, moved around my neck inside my hoodie, got out on the other side and then flew in front of me for several meters until it disappeared in the bushes. It didn't attack me, it felt like a hug. I can still feel her warmth... I don't think this is something that happens regularly if ever but it did changed my life in all sorts of ways and I feel an enormous gratitude. Thought I'd share this story here. X

[@soniakiwi]

I love corvids here in the Pacific Northwest. It's the only region in the country where you can see these birds out in the open, at least in my experience. They've always been there like a friendly yet distant companion. With the quarantine I have been feeding them and other birds (starlings and gulls as well) our food scraps and kitchen mistakes. This has created a symbiotic relationship between us (neighbors join in too) and then. Mom and I cook and whatever is not consumed or goes bad is given to them. This includes egg whites (e.g. I make a lot of mayonnaise and desserts), old meat, expired leftovers and moldy and stale bread (I believe that has the building blocks to penicillium). In addition, I give them bird seed. Though the sparrows and black headed juncos mainly eat the seeds. Crows are divas/divos, once they develop a taste for something that you feed them they expect it and find ways to inform you of their needs and make a lot of loud and silent noises (wing flapping by the roof to my room). In other words, if you feed them gourmet food they will not accept fast food the next day. They will neglect the mediocre food and cache it for a rainy day and fly away. There are plenty of crows who eat junk food, but they usually stay there. Their feathers will look brittle and full, and they'll hobble about. Poor things. This in turn is re-teaching me home economy because I re-learn portion control. I focus on making more down home meals because it's easier to give crows leftover egg whites than leftover curry which can create a mess and potentially attract bugs. 🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰

[@ispbrotherwolf]

Hugin and Munin, Odins 2 Ravens :-)Best regards from Sweden :-)

[@markdemell3717]

The Ravens kept Elijah alive in the forest ,they brought him food.

[@tomtalker2000]

So all this said, we need to preserve this species. Because they are worth FAR more from an "ecology standpoint" than there given credit for. So next time your lounging around your backyard or taking a hike in the woods etc...Keep your eye to the sky as we birders like to say. Because you never know what you will see or encounter. And who knows you might just bare witness to something truly spectacular. Happy birding everyone.....:)

[@tomtalker2000]

I've been an avid avian enthusiast for nearly 30yrs now. Having both wild & domestic species experience. I've taught summer youth birding courses at my local Audubon Society chapter. And it's nice to give back to the kids who are really interested in learning about these wonderful animals. I'm also owned by two parrots my Indian Ringneck Keiko and Green-Cheek Conure Kiwi. But when it comes to wild birds, no other bird has captivated and fascinated me more than the "corvid family".

[@kimbybrow60]

I love Ravens and Crows. They are so keenly intelligent.

[@ZliOdredi86]

+Kimberly Brown only ravens ^-^

[@basileusmegas7667]

highly interesting presentation - thanks to Prof. Marzluff and University of Alaska Southeast

[@BSaint-rf6uv]

I think Birds over all are clever ..and intelligent in many ways .. They know their enviroment and map it out.. Im now seeing these birds making little crop circles & hiding (or Caching) food .. Very well hidden might I add .. And cple hours later it came back for it and it was gone ..left an imprint on its hiding spot .. Very cute

[@shelly2599]

B80922 Saint That's true they are amazing.☕

[@dayondastribling1396]

birds ! !!!!

[@dayondastribling1396]

@@shelly2599 movie'

[@billdorthegreat265]

I saw crows at a Walmart parking lot , perched on the building roof. They were flying down to the parked cars,eating the dead bugs off of the grills. They were going from car to car.

[@markdemell3717]

The Ravens kept Elijah alive in the forest ,they fed him.

[@hahah5739]

That's so raven!

[@FilouDuisburg]

Very interesting! I'm a raven father from my City in Germany - Duisburg... :-)

[@shelly2599]

:-)

[@shelly2599]

Nothing better than the love of Nature 🌱

[@Roxyleith]

Interesting and educational. Thanks for sharing.

[@segura2112]

I live in Las Vegas NV and about 10 years ago a pair of ravens flew though the complex where I was living, I got the feeling they were scouting why or for what I don't know.

[@UASoutheast]

For those that have enjoyed this video and live near Juneau you might be interested in our April 18th Sound+Motion presentation, "Gifts of the Crow: How perception, emotion, and thought allow smart birds to behave like humans." See the full schedule at: www.uas.alaska.edu/sound_motion

[@shelly2599]

University of Alaska Thank you for sharing this wonderful video

[@xinic5]

They always skip over *The Morrigan* Celtic goddess of death, war, and rebirth or "fate". She was believed to often take the form of a Raven.

[@sherrieoneillthompson7061]

Loving the sculpture.

[@SansaStarkofWinterfell]

Some even eat them down south. *shivers* I could never eat them. I love them far too much. Thank you so very much for all the work you've put into the studies of Crows. I surely wish Crows would come enjoy my bird feeders instead of the silly little blackbirds. LoL Very enjoyable presentation. Thank you Dr. John Marzluff. ~Be Blessed

[@Con4dentual]

Beautiful

[@paulashuger4295]

Thank you so much. 👏🙏👏🙏😘👏🙏👏🙏😘👏🙏👏🙏🌹👏🙏😍👏🙏😘😍❤️

[@Barbzg1]

Very interesting, thank you for sharing.

[@tomtalker2000]

The many myths & various other stigmas over the years. That have plagued this class of birds in my opinion is totally unfair. If you see a Common Raven in flight and watch it soar and tumble effortlessly you begin to notice it's agility, grace, & power. When you see the very common American Crow that frequent your backyard flying around in groups acting as "sky watch sentinels" for other birds. You begin to realize the important role they play and just how intelligent they really are.

[@lsdlocks4673]

Much of the bad reputation crows and raven acquired came about during the middle ages in Europe.. Public hangings, public exhibition of corpses of criminals in metal cages, starving people to death in metal cages, hung up high... Naturally, this attracted crows, ravens, rats, and other omnivorous animals. It is during this horrific period that corvids became associated with death. However, I have never seen any corvid hanging people or engaging in other, all too human cruelties, so let's rehabilitate the corvids and practice a little bit of much-needed self-critique.

[@NickRatnieks]

Here in Britain we do not get flocks of crows as in the USA. Each crow pair guards its territory. My local pair raised three young last year and I feed all five of them. They will begin to breed now- but I do not anticipate ever seeing 12 at one time. With magpies, rooks and jackdaws it is different- huge colonies- but not with crows. Ravens were all but wiped out in the 19th century- and only survived in the wild western parts but they are returning so we have ravens where I live- probably the first for 150 years. They are still very rare but at least they are increasing in number- I reckon to have seen six together at one time- soaring and diving and turning somersaults!

[@demidelanuit6785]

Majestic animals! 👑

[@mathewsmith7305]

Yes,I've feed ravens&crows for years,and once had a murder of crows&ravens imitating my dog whistle for my blue healer,he'd come running everytime which would make the crow troup chatter in laughter and making fun of the doogins at my feet...

[@gabrielasir5072]

I love raven...

[@breanntheartist1989]

I love ravens! Very misunderstood birds.

[@xinic5]

John Marlzuff be everywhere...

[@rollinfrost]

we need John's help with the hawaiian raven, the Alala

[@maidmoira]

I have been feeding crow's for many a year. love throwing peanuts in the shell and watch them smash with beak, then run off with nut as wee squirell is going crazy

[@neocitran9996]

maidmoira me too....mine carry the peanuts to an intersection drop them in front of cars, let the car run it over, then they eat the exposed nut

[@markdemell3717]

I do not think that the crows actually hated the cave man they were on guard warning of a possible threat,if they really hated the caveman they would have went Hitch cock on the poor cave man.

[@kristofjarder1300]

What does it mean to say "thank you"? Maybe the ravens just replied to show they liked the action of giving presents?! Thanks a lot for the great lecture!

[@cob9834]

Some Ravens have been known to give gifts even marbles or other types of gifts to the humans who have been feeding them.

[@ututura]

tanx for sharing! very interesting presentation.

[@WhiteLightningWoman]

Awesome!!

[@JohnnyFiveEagles]

I taught a big family of crows around my building to be quiet when they come to the big tree by my bay windows(5 stories up). I would harass them by banging a black bicycle pump on the window frame then I would open the screen and scream at them. I have learned to copy the calls of eagles. When I do it they shake their tail at me and fly away. Even up to 400 m outside they recognize me. There are a number of "alpha like males and females. 1:2 ration aboput. They moms bring juvenile birdstoseeme.

[@sinfuls7777]

I don't know why they bothered to bring Blueberry out. Just to look at while the lecture went on? Otherwise, very informative.

[@bobthompson4319]

They definitely talk to each other given the way they can tell each other what 1 single person looks like. In a test with masks on they trapped some crows (cousin of ravens) and then waited 5 years to see if the new crows 4yrs and younger would recognize the mask and the ones who never seen the mask reacted immediately to it without any others reacting first. So the only way to know what that mask was would be if someone described what it looked like and what could happen from that person and that the face is what they recognize and cloths mean nothing because with the mask off with the same cloths they didnt react at all. Really showing how smart they are.

[@HShalita]

Amazing

[@yansvideodump]

amazing presentation

[@jeanclaudelavallee4919]

Hi sir I live north of Quebec City in a town known as Jonquiere since last winter I keep feeding crow wether at my break time at work or lunchtime it's a fascinating animal they recall my car all kind of goodies I noticed one thing as leave fell off the tree ,they seem to break branches as the tree dry out it seem to be on purpose now the soil it's full of tiny branch does it make sense to think that perhaps they the nest material ready for the next spring ????

[@Lotje250]

OMG THAT IS ONE BIG RAVEN!!!!! I LOVE THOSE BIRDS....

[@squaretriangle9208]

Let Blueberry find Lisa, humans can't😉

[@williamhightower5585]

is there any way we can feed the raven so they wont eat other birds

[@undeadpresident]

This is very interesting.

[@nintendude1994]

i've been trying to get in contact with my neighborhood crows...After throwing out some food for them a few days in a row i went for a walk and saw 2 ravens flying around me from tree to tree cawwing at eachother and do that body language stuff..I plan to try to see if I can get one close enough to touch

[@rodcrawford5547]

They are the smartest birds / animals alive...

[@PpAirO5]

Anyone with the Raven as your zodiac sign (Native american) ? I am a Raven 💙

[@marioriospinot]

Nice.

[@xjohnlangerijs527]

MayB Thoth's representation & face was associated with the raven? Namasté.

[@victoriafisher6934]

i didnt see any canarys in the canary islands what do you know ?

[@cob9834]

Ravens who have use wolves to open up dear and other type of carcasses have used different vocalizations to encourage the wolves follow them to the location of a carcass that they want to enjoy but Need the wolves to follow them

[@bobthompson4319]

35:17 very sad

[@markdemell3717]

Halleluyah.

[@jennykien7945]

I saw crows or ravens ate other young bird from their nests.

[@Nicole-ww4lg]

my grandmother always disliked the jays in her yard in OH precisely because they ate other birds. looks like my gram was a closet conservationist :)

[@OregonCrow]

That raven is fucking massive.

[@dogert66]

LOL The masks!