Ravens get a bad rap in western culture. They’re an ominous symbol of death, considered “unclean” by the bible, and star in Edgar Allen Poe’s haunting gothic poem, “The Raven.” A group of ravens is called an “unkindness.” What a burn.

But host Nate Hegyi is on a mission to show that we should give the raven a bit more credit. It’s one of the most intelligent creatures on earth — an animal that can use tools like a chimpanzee, speak like a parrot, do tricks like a dog, and investigate murders like Sherlock Holmes. 

So today on the show, another edition of our ongoing series, Holy Scat: raven edition.

Featuring Sophie Nilles and Will Geiger.

Produced by Nate Hegyi. For a transcript and full list of credits, go to ⁠outsideinradio.org⁠. 

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LINKS

Dr. Kaeli Swift is one of the foremost corvid researchers on the planet, and she’s done a deep dive into corvid funerals. 

Here’s the study that shows ravens parallel great apes in terms of intelligence.

If you want a real creepy experience, you should watch Vincent Price recite Edgar Allen Poe’s ‘The Raven.’

Need more raven stories from southeast Alaska? The Sealaska Heritage Institute just published a collection. 

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