Ravens

When I began the theological and philosophical narrative found here, I was quite certain from personal observation that the eponymous corvids were the smartest birds I'd ever seen. I am glad to see that Scientific American thinks so too!

At any rate, they are possibly much smarter than doves, as a careful reading of Noah's story in Genesis will show. In that story, Noah sent out a raven, but the raven kept flying back and forth and we do not know what happened to it after that. (Maybe it was cursed with a guilty conscience and that is why ravens to this day screech, "Ark! Ark!") But after that he sent out a dove, which returned to him twice. When Noah landed, he made a burnt offering using the some of the kosher animals and birds he had with him. So much for the doves...

Ravens are territorial creatures known to be the most creative and playful of all birds. As it is, they come from the group of birds called the Corvidae or 'crows' – a family which includes the common crow, jackdaw, and jay – which probably contains the most inquisitive and acquisitive birds that we know. Measuring 1.25 metres in wingspan, they are fairly large birds who mate for life and hunt in pairs. They are also very adept at interpreting social behaviours, and are able to remember what other ravens know. They are also able to figure out complex tasks by observation and logic, and then execute them without trial or error.

Odin of the Norse pantheon kept two, named Huginn and Muninn ('Thought' and 'Memory') on his shoulders and used them as his scouts. These are the two ravens which you can go and read about. Just remember what I've said so far about ravens in general.