Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M 29 Intelligence in other species can be hard to define and even harder to prove. And there is risk in anthropomorphism. Nevertheless abundant observations suggest special skill sets. Ravens will follow a predator on the hunt and obvi- ously benefit from its success. ey have been known to alert predators to the presence of weakened prey, or unopened carcasses available for scavenging. ey have a particularly close relationship with wolves. Some suggest they need the presence of wolves to overcome their natural shyness around large food. Anecdotes of problem solving are many. An example is the ability to lift food dangling on a string without previ- ous exposure to that challenge. Corvids (including ravens, crows, magpies, jays, and nutcrackers) brains are larger than those of other birds, relative to overall body weight. And the raven's is largest. Ravens have a wide array of vocaliza- tion. ey clearly use this for communi- cation. Some calls are common to all, but the majority are learned and seem passed on by their family group and neighbors. Different regions demonstrate different calls for the same purpose. Some calls are specific to a nesting pair, which generally bonds for life. Ravens were kept in the Tower of London to warn of approaching danger. ey will cache meat, often at long distances if there has been a crowd of them feeding. eir memory of locations lasts up to two weeks — not as long as a Clark's Nutcracker, but then ravens' food will spoil if left much longer. ey devise elabo- rate strategies for hiding their own caches of meat from other ravens, even pretending to leave food if they are being observed, in anticipation of likely thievery. photos and text by STEVE AKRE C OMMON RAVEN, CORVUS CORAX, IS ANYTHING BUT "COMMON". is largest passerine (perching) bird is recognized by the scientific community for its extreme intelligence. We often encounter ravens on excursions outdoors. ey are ubiquitous, omnivorous, and adaptable. Raven dancer from the Kitasoo/ Xai'Xais Peoples of coastal British Columbia Totem of the raven clan in Klemtu, BC

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