5 Fun Facts About Ravens

Eva Niessner

5 Fun Facts About Ravens

Whether you're a fan of football or a fan of Edgar Allan Poe's poetry, you know that ravens have a home here in Maryland! Poe's poem became a huge hit after it was published in 1845, and the legacy of this piece of writing led to the formation of the NFL team we all know and love. But you may not realize just how interesting these birds can really be. Look past the purple uniforms and spooky rhymes to see the real ravens -- creatures that are intelligent, playful, and fascinating. We've got a few fun facts for you!

 

1. Ravens can mimic human speech

In Poe's poem, the haunting raven continues to repeat the word 'Nevermore'. But could a raven really do something like that? Yes! Ravens have an uncanny ability to mimic sounds, just like parrots and parakeets can. They can even imitate human voices and repeat back words they've heard. If you said 'nevermore' to a raven repeatedly, it may say it back! 

2. Ravens have many folkloric meanings

In Norse mythology, the god Odin had a pair of ravens named Huginn and Muninn, who reported back to him on what has been happening all over the world each day. Ravens also play an important role in Native American stories, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. In these stories, ravens may be both tricksters and creator figures. In England, captive ravens live in the Tower of London, and legend says the kingdom will fall if the ravens ever leave. 

3. Ravens love to play

Sure, the raven may have a reputation for being spooky, but in reality, ravens are creatures that love to have fun. They may not quite be ready to play football, but they've been spotted playing catch with sticks while flying. They also like to roll and slide in the snow. They'll even tease and taunt other animals just for the fun of it. 

4. Ravens are not the same as crows

Both ravens and crows belong to the same family, the corvids. This family also includes birds like blue jays and magpies. Ravens and crows look similar, but there are a few important differences. Ravens are larger, with wedge-shaped tails, while crows are smaller and have tails that are fan-shaped. Ravens also have a lower and croakier call. 

5. Ravens live in western Maryland -- and at the zoo!

If you live in the western counties, you may have seen ravens outside for yourself. However, you don't have to live there to see a real raven for yourself. At the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, two African ravens named Rise and Conquer can be visited! They're the official team birds of the Baltimore Ravens football team, and they visit the stadium during home games, too. 

Leave a reply

sort by date

Latest articles

10 Hacks for Your Next Ocean City Trip

03/21/23

10 Hacks for Your Next Ocean City Trip

It feels like we just celebrated the holidays, but time is flying, and soon, it'll be time to start thinking about going to the beach! Want to make the most...

read more
5 Must-Have Spring Items

03/05/23

5 Must-Have Spring Items

Spring has sprung, and there's so much to do! Springtime in Maryland means that there are hiking trails to wander, farmers markets to explore, and road trips to take. Want...

read more
Say Goodbye to Winter With these Crab Soups

03/20/23

Say Goodbye to Winter With these Crab...

Spring is here, and that means warmer weather is on the way...right? Well, any Marylander knows that the weather can turn on a dime, and there may still be a...

read more
ST PATRICKS DAY
5 Irish Eateries in Maryland to Enjoy This St. Patrick's Day

03/05/23

5 Irish Eateries in Maryland to Enjoy...

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, and if you don't feel like peeling your own potatoes and steaming your own cabbage, you should take advantage of the fact...

read more
If The Zodiac Signs Were Made For Marylanders

03/05/23

If The Zodiac Signs Were Made For Mar...

Do you read your horoscope every month? Many of us regularly check in to see what's going to happen in the coming week or month based on when we were...

read more
6 R1A Goodies to Put in the Easter Basket

02/20/23

6 R1A Goodies to Put in the Easter Ba...

Whether you're filling up an Easter basket for a child, your significant other, or your bestie, it's important to give them stuff that they'll actually love! Forget marshmallow chickens and...

read more

03/02/23

It is officially MARYLAND MONTH

USE CODE: EARLYMD TO GET 30% OFF OUR EARLY MARYLAND DAY COLLECTION >>> https://bit.ly/3mlvbd1  

read more
Madame Maryland's Horoscope: March 2023

03/01/23

Madame Maryland's Horoscope: March 2023

Happy March, Marylanders! This month brings us all the promise of spring, and we're getting more daylight, too. What could be in store for us as the seasons change and...

read more
Meet (A Few of) Maryland's Endangered and Threatened Species

02/20/23

Meet (A Few of) Maryland's Endangered...

It's not just human beings who love living here in Maryland. Many creatures -- furry, feathered, and fishy -- all call Maryland home. However, not all of these animals have...

read more