25 May 2018

I love ravens, not only because they’re really smart but because they’re great acrobatic fliers and show off to impress each other.

Ravens live a long time — 30 to 40 years — and don’t breed until they’re 2-4 years old.  In their first few years they hang out in flocks, get to know other ravens, and spend time playing in the sky. In the process they choose a mate for life.

When ravens have a mate they make courtship flights together, swooping and diving, soaring with wingtips touching, locking toes and tumbling in the sky.

Have you ever seen ravens tumble?   Watch them above at Griffith Park, Hollywood, California.  Go Full Screen for an even better effect.

p.s.  Learn about ravens in love in this February 2017 blog from the Walking Mountains Science Center in Avon, Colorado: Romance is in the Air for Ravens.