Why is a Raven Like a Writing Desk? Quiz

Answer: Corvus corax

The common (or northern) raven is found in the Northern hemisphere.

Corvus corax is in the order Passeriformes, which are birds with anisodactyl toes: they have three toes forward and one backward, which makes perching easier. More than half of all bird species are passerines.

Covus Corax is also the name of a German neo-medieval band formed in 1989.

Answer: all black

Ravens are all black, including their feathers, eyes, beak, and legs.

The national men's rugby team of New Zealand are called the All Blacks.

Answer: hackles

Related to crows, the common raven is larger, has a wedge-shaped tail, and hackles. Crows have a fan-shaped tail.

Also, the flying behavior of crows and ravens are different. Ravens "soar" or "glide" in the air more than crows.

Answer: acrobatic

The common raven seems to have fun while flying.

Ravens have been observed to fly upside down for long periods.

Ravens have also been known to play games in flight, such as taking turns dropping a stick so another can dive and catch it.

Answer: communicating about distant objects

Only ravens, bees, ants, and humans have been observed to demonstrate the ability of linguistic displacement. After flying alone, a raven can return to the flock and communicate where a large food source is located so that the others can find it.

Along with other corvids and parrots, ravens are considered highly intelligent, with brain/body size ratios similar to primates.

Answer: anting

When "anting", birds will sit close to an anthill and either allow themselves to be covered with ants, or scoop up ants, crush them, and smear themselves with the mashed ants.

Exactly why birds do this is unknown. A popular theory is that the chemicals from the ants are soothing during molting season, so the ants are functioning like body lotion. Another theory is that these chemicals allow the birds to eliminate or ward off parasites.

Answer: Yes

Ravens form lifelong mating pairs, and usually nest in the same area, defending their territory from other ravens. However, examples of "infidelity" have been observed.

Raven are long-lived birds, with captive birds living for more than 40 years, while wild ravens have a typical lifespan of 10-15 years, though older individuals have been observed.

Answer: The Tower of London

There is a legend that the Tower of London and the Kingdom of England will fall if the six ravens leave the tower. The legend supposedly dates the ravens back to King Charles II, but the earliest recorded proof is from 1883.

There are usually seven ravens at the Tower: the required six plus one spare, in case one escapes, is retired, or is removed for behavioral issues.

Answer: wolves

Ravens will call wolves to a large carcass, such as that of a caribou. The wolves will tear into the carcass and open it up, and the ravens can eat the leftovers.

Ravens will also play "tag" with wolves.

Answer: omnivore

Ravens hunt smaller birds and animals, and eat carrion, insects, berries, seeds, and even human food from garbage or a picnic or campsite. Carrion or other meat is usually the majority of their diet.

A group of ravens is a flock, but has also been called a bazaar, constable, rant, conspiracy or an unkindness.