Pretty sure the wings are clipped, as there was the old belief that if the Tower of London ever lost its ravens the monarchy would fall. While I do wish that and more on the British royal family, I don’t think they can fly up and far. They did glide down from heights though.
Oh it is. Minus the clipped wings, these are probably some of the most pampered corvids in the world. They were also total attention whores for all the visitors and are probably extremely acclimated.
We went not too long ago and one of the ravens was having a lot of fun on these very steps blocking a girl from walking up. She moved left, he hopped left. She moved right, he hopped right. Then he stole a guy’s ice cream. I’ve got a video of it somewhere!
I thought they just kept a couple in a nice cage while the rest got to be free but return at night because they are treated so well, but clipped wings is also possible.
Monarchy epitomizes everything society should strive to not be: Nepotism, lack of egalitarianism, lack of meritocracy. It is as far from based as an institution that doesn't directly harm others can be.
Allegedly 'The Ravenmaster' of the Tower clips one wing to prevent the birds from gaining any height in flight. Must be a pretty cool job hanging out with the ravens.
The only other corvid that surprised me with how big they are was the Eurasian nutcracker. It was sitting on a branch next to the trail and was surprisingly chill about it.
I said it under your post, I'm sure they won't bite hard, maybe a careful pinch at most. Because they are very good behaved ravens. I bet some of them are probably too friendly for their own good.
This is how the ravens were in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons National Park, very friendly and sweet. Love to watch them hop on the peoples cars lol. Their wings aren’t clipped, they were just angling for treats.
Sooo lucky!! Have you read the book about them? The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London by Christopher Skaife. Was a great book and the audio book was a nice listen.
I‘d been searching for awhile for a list of which raven has which colour band, but could never find it. In April when I went to the Tower again, I noticed that their aviaries had their names on signs with the text of each in different colours - and those colours corresponded with the band colours for the two that I knew, so I got to make my own list!
At the time, these were the ones out for the public.
Silvery teal/light blue: Branwen
Green: Harris
Yellow/gold: Edgar
Red: Poppy
Pink: Georgie
Blue: Jubilee
They didn’t have Chaos, Henry, and Poe at that point (Chaos would’ve probably been at the Tower by then but wasn’t ready to be official yet). Branwen isn’t on HRP’s list for some reason…?
Exactly how one came all the way up the flights of my stairs to rap at my gate. I watched it from behind because it thought I was already inside. It was like “Oh there you are!” when it saw me and then did the “stay inside” caws as it was watching me get behind my door.
I think you might’ve picked up some British inflection on your visit lol. Only when you asked, “ARE you FAscinated by my PHO-nuh?” Btw I’m not poking fun! It’s a cool phenomenon. Same thing happens when I spend time with Brits. The way they ask questions is especially catching.
Yup! I got yelled at by a raven on that exact staircase for trying to get a photo of him/her. The photo came out alright but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t startled a bit when it opened its beak.
I’m sorry to break it to you but that is a boy who was nasty to a nice old lady. She cursed him and turned him into a raven that cannot fly up steps. He’s cursed to live in a beautiful raven body that will never fly.
I always find it so funny when birds hop or walk everywhere. It’s like, you know you’re a bird right? You can just fly up the stairs!!
Pretty sure the wings are clipped, as there was the old belief that if the Tower of London ever lost its ravens the monarchy would fall. While I do wish that and more on the British royal family, I don’t think they can fly up and far. They did glide down from heights though.
Oh wow, that’s sadder than I expected. I just thought the bird was being silly
Oh it is. Minus the clipped wings, these are probably some of the most pampered corvids in the world. They were also total attention whores for all the visitors and are probably extremely acclimated.
We went not too long ago and one of the ravens was having a lot of fun on these very steps blocking a girl from walking up. She moved left, he hopped left. She moved right, he hopped right. Then he stole a guy’s ice cream. I’ve got a video of it somewhere!
Please post. :D
ALSO WANT PROOF. 🤩
I thought they just kept a couple in a nice cage while the rest got to be free but return at night because they are treated so well, but clipped wings is also possible.
There is a good number of ravens at the Tower of London, a lot more than 2.
I don't remember the exact number, but something approaching 10 I think, yeah.
Just when you thought there were enough reasons to hate the monarchy.
Let's calm down, the monarchy is based.
Monarchy epitomizes everything society should strive to not be: Nepotism, lack of egalitarianism, lack of meritocracy. It is as far from based as an institution that doesn't directly harm others can be.
They only clip one wing. Still not great obviously but it means they can fly short distances, which I guess is better than none at all.
Allegedly 'The Ravenmaster' of the Tower clips one wing to prevent the birds from gaining any height in flight. Must be a pretty cool job hanging out with the ravens.
"This is the best thing that have ever happened to me." real.
Raven are so cool to see up close, they're magnificent.
They are! They are much bigger up close than you think they are.
I know right?
I saw few in the forest and they were huge.
The only other corvid that surprised me with how big they are was the Eurasian nutcracker. It was sitting on a branch next to the trail and was surprisingly chill about it.
I visited London in 2019 and seeing the ravens up close was 1000% my favorite part of the entire trip!!!
https://preview.redd.it/p6vlv5amhn6g1.png?width=1440&format=png&auto=webp&s=67d3a7b5c1c456a66a6e9febd0ef50328a7a0128
Wow so close! Raven was totally ready for their close up!
Clipped wings aside, probably the most pampered corvids ever.
There is a whole proffesion called the Ravenmaster who cares for the ravens, I would be surprised if they aren't haha.
Did you met him (or whoever else has this job right now), when you were visiting?
Did not get the chance to unfortunately. Did take home a plush raven from the gift shop though
https://preview.redd.it/8uhsk0mdeo6g1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a5c0ac0cd908899a622da7636e349408e23a4d4
I posted on another thread that this is Jubilee. Here she is in the same spot
I said it under your post, I'm sure they won't bite hard, maybe a careful pinch at most. Because they are very good behaved ravens. I bet some of them are probably too friendly for their own good.
Aww, she's so pretty! :D
This is how the ravens were in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons National Park, very friendly and sweet. Love to watch them hop on the peoples cars lol. Their wings aren’t clipped, they were just angling for treats.
Been years since I saw the ravens at the Grand Canyon.
If Anyone is confused about the difference between a crow and a raven still, this video should clear things up.
I love how the spouse is like I think this is literally the best thing that has ever happened to me 🥰
Besides her marrying me it was mine too!
Sooo lucky!! Have you read the book about them? The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London by Christopher Skaife. Was a great book and the audio book was a nice listen.
I’ll have to check that out. Thank you!
These things are so damn smart, they understand basic physics of amplifying sound. Insane.
Evidently, that raven knows of your association as a crowbro. We are legion.
Or just wanted to show off. Both are possible
Yes, I was being facetious, and yes, it sure seemed like it was showing off. Great video.
Crows encounter of the feathered kind
That crow is so raven
iseewhatyoudidthere
Honk honk honk honk honk! 🥰
The stair must be informed of today's happenings.
Love these guys so much. Took this photo when I was there in 2017/2018. They're beautiful.
https://preview.redd.it/ucvajiehkp6g1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7ec3d3188472e347ea0e445a02b35895da686840
I remember someone from another post saying the blue band is Jubilee :)
Yep. Royal blue legband is Jubilee.
I‘d been searching for awhile for a list of which raven has which colour band, but could never find it. In April when I went to the Tower again, I noticed that their aviaries had their names on signs with the text of each in different colours - and those colours corresponded with the band colours for the two that I knew, so I got to make my own list!
At the time, these were the ones out for the public.
Silvery teal/light blue: Branwen
Green: Harris
Yellow/gold: Edgar
Red: Poppy
Pink: Georgie
Blue: Jubilee
They didn’t have Chaos, Henry, and Poe at that point (Chaos would’ve probably been at the Tower by then but wasn’t ready to be official yet). Branwen isn’t on HRP’s list for some reason…?
That was me lol
Yes, I was thinking that it was her as well!
What a polite little (big) cutie!
Thank you for sharing 🤗☮️💚
They were quite polite! Big too.
Absolutely stunning
Love this ❤️
Exactly how one came all the way up the flights of my stairs to rap at my gate. I watched it from behind because it thought I was already inside. It was like “Oh there you are!” when it saw me and then did the “stay inside” caws as it was watching me get behind my door.
I think you might’ve picked up some British inflection on your visit lol. Only when you asked, “ARE you FAscinated by my PHO-nuh?” Btw I’m not poking fun! It’s a cool phenomenon. Same thing happens when I spend time with Brits. The way they ask questions is especially catching.
Lived in Japan five years, still have some mannerisms that others would find odd
🤷🎺- 🤷🎺- 🤷🎺- 🤷🎺- 🤷🎺
Yup! I got yelled at by a raven on that exact staircase for trying to get a photo of him/her. The photo came out alright but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t startled a bit when it opened its beak.
Oh that sequence was intresting
4 honks, 6 honks, 5 honks
rarely I hear such change in number of calls one after another
The person sounds like Gil from Breaking Bad.
He’s surprisingly friendly. ❤️
I imagine with the tourists going through the Tower of London they are pretty chill with people
I’m sorry to break it to you but that is a boy who was nasty to a nice old lady. She cursed him and turned him into a raven that cannot fly up steps. He’s cursed to live in a beautiful raven body that will never fly.
Worse yet, he's trapped with the British Royal Family and can never escape them! D: