researchers discovered that ravens use gestures to grab each other’s attention. referential gestures, like pointing, are common with humans and apes, but not often associated with non-primates. ravens were found grabbing and offering non-food items like moss, sticks, and rocks with their beaks to other ravens to grab their attention.
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though humans were once thought to be the only animals capable of planning for future events, scientists found that common ravens can pass these sorts of tests with flying colors. when given a tool that could be used to access a treat, the ravens took it and used it successfully. hours later, when given a lineup of objects they could choose from, the majority of ravens chose the tool, and held onto it for future use.
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a nest full of baby common ravens. ravens are altricial, meaning that when they hatch, they are flightless and helpless, completely dependent on their parents. even after fledging the nest, the young rely on the parents for supplemental feeding.
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a common raven enjoys a pizza snack. part of what has made ravens and other corvid species so successful in urban environments is their intelligence and adaptability – their willingness to find alternative nesting spots and food they wouldn’t see in the wild.
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a common raven with leucism. leucism is similar to albinism, but is a partial lack of many pigments, not a complete loss. ravens are known for their black pigmentation; pure white birds like this one suffer from increased visibility to predators, as well as sometimes being rejected socially.
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this pied common raven was spotted in mammoth lakes, california. ‘pied’ birds result from partial leucism, a lack of pigmentation in certain areas.
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today's bird 