By William Leroy
The word “Raven†is the common name given to the largest species of passerine birds in the genus Corvus. Corvids are also commonly referred to as “Crowsâ€. In most of Europe and North America, Raven is used as a synonym for the widespread common Raven, and much of the literature and culture surrounding Ravens refers to that species. Ravens are highly intelligent and perhaps the smartest birds. Their intelligence is on par with canids like wolves. Not only can they untie knots, they can unzip zippers and unfasten Velcro. Ravens have a highly sophisticated language with hundreds of distinct sounds. They are highly social birds who mate for life and play complex games with each other.
Did you know that Raven fossils from the Pleistocene Epoch have been found in many locations throughout the United States? They are a very ancient species of birds. Today, Ravens can be found all over Arizona and all around the northern hemisphere, from tropical jungles to the snowy wastes of the Arctic. Their high intelligence and endurance give them the ability to adapt to many conditions and eat a wide variety of foods. They will capture and kill most species that would be considered “raptor foodâ€, which is why many view them as “raptors†even though they do fit the typical “raptor†model of sharp-pointed beaks and talons. Ravens feed on cultivated cereal grains, insects and many other invertebrates, small reptiles, carrion and scraps of human food, cactus fruits, eggs, and nestlings. Ravens build their nests in trees, large shrubs, and old buildings. There are usually five to seven eggs laid relatively late in the year and during May to take advantage of the insect food for their young in their more arid environment.
 The Storied Raven
There is more to RAVEN than meets the eye. I wonder how many of our readers have met the eye of a Raven. He is known by many tribes under many names. Ravens have always been associated with Godliness. Few people know that the first bird out of Noah’s ark was a Raven. It just didn’t return. It didn’t feel the need. Odon relies on his two Ravens to fly round the world every day and keep him informed. Edgar Allan Poe’s Raven shrieked ‘Nevermore’ but what that has to do with anything only Poe knows.
In the beginning, Raven was primarily a Creator and Trickster God, especially of the Haida tribe, who claim he discovered the first humans hiding in a clamshell and brought them berries and salmon. A bit of a tricky God himself, he’s also the long-suffering victim of archrival in trickery, Coyote. His brother, Logobola, is also a bit of a tricky customer, but, despite what you may have heard, absolutely no frogs are involved.
Stories about the Raven abound. Here’s one handed down by the Tsimshian tribe:
Once upon a time, the only light in the world was hoarded by a mean old Chief who was not disposed to share it. Raven, bored of fluttering around in the dark, decided this would not do. Therefore, he turned himself into a cedar leaf and sneakily fluttered into the chief’s dwelling. The Chief’s daughter was sipping a drink and Raven fluttered into the cup as she raised it to her lips. Swallowing him down, she immediately became pregnant and gave birth. This caused no end of confusion. The baby had Raven-black hair, dark glowing eyes, and was very temperamental. Whenever it was bored, it shrieked.
The Chief, trying to be a doting grandpa, said: “Give the baby what it wants”. Therefore, they gave the baby a bag of shining stars. It played merrily with these, until one day in gurgling excitement it threw them through the smoke hole in the ceiling and they scattered up into the sky. Oh dear. The baby is bored again. It’s bawling. It wants another bag. It’s driving the household crazy. It must be pacified. Therefore, they give it a bag containing the Moon and soon the baby is happy again, bouncing the Moon all over the place. You’ll never guess what happens next. Whoosh! and up through the smoke hole goes the Moon. (Pause for gasp of astonishment from the audience).
Deprived of another toy, the baby becomes disruptive. The Chief is tearing his hair out. The whole household is muttering. Find something, anything, to keep the baby quiet! The baby rejects all homemade playthings and points to the last bag. Uh-oh. They give it to the baby but with dire warnings. “Don’t untie it because it contains Light, and that leaks like nobody’s business.” Now you think you know what is going to happen. Nevertheless, you don’t. What happened is that the baby turned back into Raven, cried “Ka very much” and flew through the smoke hole carrying the bag in his beak. He’d stolen the Sun. Raven spread light throughout the world and so the Chief’s daylight saving scheme came to an end. He was very disgruntled. His recorded comments contain very strong language in the Tsimsn dialect.
 The Connected World
The truth is that as human beings, we are connected to each other, this world, and each of the living things it contains. As individuals, we cannot grow and learn in a vacuum. Each of us needs to interact with other living things in order to grow and change. I have found that as I share my life with others by giving of myself, I have begun to realize my true purpose in this world. My first encounter with a great horned owl, named Logan, who was rehabilitated and successfully released, is a classic example of how circumstances can powerfully alter the direction of a person’s life. I could go on for days with detailed descriptions of how my life has been changed as result of my volunteer work with Wild At Heart. Will you make today the day that you determine to help?
 
About Wild At Heart
Wild At Heart is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and preservation of Arizona’s native wildlife through the rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned birds of prey, relocation of displaced raptors, public education and habitat enhancement programs. Due to general encroachment into wildlife habitat, much of Arizona’s wildlife heritage is at risk! Wild At Heart operates as a nonprofit organization, founded by state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitators “Sam” and Bob Fox. With the help of volunteers, they care for hundreds of raptors each year, including a wide variety of owls, hawks, and eagles.
Wild At Heart receives NO state or government funding. Our support comes from generous members of the community like you who are concerned about our ever-decreasing wildlife habitats in Arizona and Worldwide. One hundred percent of all donations go directly to the care of these magnificent birds of prey. Did you know that $20.00 provides food for one large owl or hawk for two weeks, $50.00 provides antibiotics and medications for the clinic for one week, and $100.00 provides enough for fuel to allow several bird rescues to be made? Donations of any amount are appreciated. Please make your check payable to: Wild At Heart, Inc. and mail to the address below, Wild At Heart is a 501(c) 3 organization, Tax I.D. # EIN 86-0770883.
For Additional Information or To Volunteer
Mail: Wild At Heart, 31840 North 45th Street, Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Phone: (480) 595-5047
Web: http://wildatheartowls.org Visit Website
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