When you see a raven in a TV show, it is normally foreshadowing an eerie future — a full moon, an echo of a raspy “caw” in the distance or maybe even Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem. When a raven is on screen, they are simply something dark and foreboding.
As Halloween decorations fill front yards with ghosts and ghouls and glowing pumpkins, the image of a raven makes it off the screen and onto front lawns. They’re the perfect Halloween mascot — at least, that’s what popular culture says.
But to me, ravens are the complete opposite of scary. They’re smart, loyal and downright charming in their own mysterious way.
Part of what makes ravens so compelling is just how much they have figured out about the world.
Researchers have discovered that ravens can plan for the future. They can delay gratification as well, which is a skill previously found only in humans and great apes.
Ravens are also known for solving puzzles, using tools and even understanding the concept of fairness. These aren’t just simple instincts, they’re signs of problem-solving that rival some primates.
In one experiment, ravens were able to select an object and wait 15 minutes to be presented with a reward box.
If that sounds almost human, that’s because it is. Ravens have been known to play tricks on each other, stash food in secret spots and even pretend to hide it to throw off onlookers.
They can remember faces of both humans and animals. Studies show they hold grudges against those who have wronged them. On the flip side, they also remember people who treated them kindly.
That level of intelligence is rare in the animal world. It makes ravens seem like something between a wild animal and thinking companions.
Ravens also have a surprisingly rich emotional and social life. They form lifelong bonds with their mates and are known to share food, comfort one another and mourn their dead.
When a raven dies, others gather around the body, calling out loudly before falling silent. They seem to recognize something important has happened. Researchers say it is likely about gathering information, seeing if that area is safe or dangerous.
Even if that behavior is about gathering information, it still shows a lot about how ravens see the world. They aren’t just reacting to things — they are thinking about them.
That’s what makes ravens so captivating. They’re constantly learning, adapting and communicating.
Still, pop culture loves to paint ravens as dark omens, most of the time leaving out the depth of the animal.
Ravens live a perfect balance between mystery and intelligence. They can be loud, funny and clever, but they also carry this eerie elegance that fits the Halloween aesthetic so well.
So when seeing a raven perched on a pumpkin this weekend, don’t just think of it as a spooky decoration. Think about how much that bird is capable of — how it can remember people, solve puzzles and even plan ahead.
Honestly, I think their intelligence adds to their charm. They’re nature’s mystery wrapped in feathers.
Stephenson can be reached at [email protected]
