Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.“
’Tis some visitor,” I muttered, “tapping at my chamber door—
Only this and nothing more.”– Edgar Allan Poe..from The Raven
Well, I know Spring is just around the corner, because the local Ravens are repairing their nests and getting ready to have their babies! Did you know Ravens generally mate for life, and can live up to 21 years? And they generally stay in the same territory, so they are the same Ravens you see all year round…….and year after year.
According to the folks at Hinterland Who’s Who, the Common Raven,
-is a large black songbird related to crows, jays, magpies and nutcrackers
-is believed to be highly intelligent, being able to problem-solve efficiently using tools if necessary
-is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan birds; it lives in many types of habitats throughout the Northern Hemisphere
-is of high importance to Indigenous Peoples throughout Canada, appearing in myths, legends, art and traditions
-is believed to be highly intelligent, being able to problem-solve efficiently using tools if necessary
-is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan birds; it lives in many types of habitats throughout the Northern Hemisphere
-is of high importance to Indigenous Peoples throughout Canada, appearing in myths, legends, art and traditions
The Raven is a great bird to have around as it is an omnivore. It will eat anything — roadkill, plants, insects, garbage, just about anything it can find, and that helps keep things cleaner. And the Raven doesn’t really have any predators (other than man), or perhaps is a chick gets loose too soon from the nest.
The Ravens across from my place are building/repairing their nest in the hydro tower. Sometime in the next month or so, there will be “new” little Ravens. The Raven nest anywhere from February to May, depending upon how far north they are living.
Have a look at the Hinterland Who’s Who site to learn more about Ravens, by clicking on the link HWWRaven. It is one of the best sites I have found about this bird, which is common to our area, and that we really take for granted. Enjoy some of the sites and sounds of the Common Raven.
Take care!