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Another common resident of Second Chance Cheekye Ranch are ravens. Anyone who spends time at the ranch will quickly notice these intelligent birds flittering about scavenging for snacks and nesting materials, even landing on horses backs to pluck their fur for nests! Ravens are among the top ten most intelligent animals on earth, and have been known to craft and use tools, plan for the future, barter and even play hide and seek. Ravens can mimic human voices, and are often better at it than parrots. They can also mimic other animal and bird calls. More than 30 different vocalizations have been recorded. From low gurgling croaks to harsh grating sounds and shrill alarm calls, the most common sound is the classic gurgling croak rising in pitch and seeming to come from the back of the throat. This call is audible for more than a mile! A ravens wingspan can reach up to 60 inches and recorded weights range between 2 to 5 pounds. Their beaks are slightly curved with a length of up to 3.5 inches. Ravens use their beaks to rip objects open and to help them find both food and shelter. They also have beak gestures which include touching beaks or clasping their bills together and will even manipulate an object together by using their beaks! Their feathers can have a blue or purplish iridescence, and have shaggier feathers around their throats which they can bush out to stay warm and to make certain calls. Ravens have a complex social structure. They are a monogamous species and will generally mate for life. They will ride air currents and perform various aerial displays from tumbling tricks to acrobatics and will even spar mid-air. They show complex social dynamics and abilities previously only seen in humans, including bullying, relationship stress and television watching! Ravens can actually remember faces and will make friends, and even enemies. Ravens are extremely intelligent, confident and inquisitive. They are a fun bird to have around as their calls and playfulness add joy to any area they decide to call home.
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