White Necked African Ravens Information

Area Man Trains Birds For NFL Mascots

Walthers, a veteran animal trainer who lives in Commerce, was hiredto train two ravens as mascots for the Baltimore Ravens football team's2008 season. He's hoping the NFL spotlight will build the public'sappreciation for the birds, which almost disappeared from the easternUnited States at the turn of the 20th century, but have made a hugecomeback.

Article by Merritt Melancon

CLICKHERE to read the entire article.....

Daniel Walthers training Baltimore Raven Mascot


Everything you should know....

Size:

White necked (also known as White-naped) raven is the largest and the most impressive of the seven species of East African corvids.
At 20 inches tall with a 3 foot wingspan, the white-necked raven isa large bird. In their native region of Africa (eastern edge of the continent from South Africa to Zaire), they are often mistaken for hawks.

Average Lifespan:

25-50 years.

Temperament:

Like ravens worldwide, they are famous for their intelligence and frequently found playing the role of "trickster" in native mythology.


They often show a playful side and can frequently be spotted indulgingin aerial acrobatics. Where they are found around human habitationthey are frequently quite tame. All Ravens are intelligent, inquisitive, generally friendly birds. Ravens can easily be taught human speech and can learn how to count.


The only species that bears any resemblance to the White-necked Raven is the Pied Crow which is smaller and has a white breast. However the simple rule "if you have to ask, it's not a raven" applies. Once you have seen this impressive bird you're unlikely to ever confuse it again!

Colors:

The entire body portraits deep blue-purple iridescence to their featherswith a very distinct large white patch at the back of its neck andan ivory tip on its dark bill.

Feeding:

Ravens are omnivorous. They will eat anything which is edible (and many things which aren't). Their usual diet contains insects, seeds, berries, carrion (the bodies of animals killed by creatures other than the raven), the eggs and young of other birds, and occasionally small mammals.

Exercise:

Raven are very active birds. They love to hop, fly, and peck at items. Those who own this type of bird should provide a minimum of 4 to 6 hours of play time outdoors daily. The flight cage should be large enough for them to fly, stretch and exercise their muscles. The outdoors is also very important for them to receive the necessary vitamin D from the sun for the well-being and strength/density of their bones.


Always remember to remove the anklets or leg restraints while your bird is in the flight cage, as they can get caught up on objects and could injure themselves. Vet wrap can be used on the perches to ensure the perches are easy on their feet, varying sized perches are alwaysa good idea too.


Toys and enrichment items are important for stimulation. As we mentioned, they are the smartest birds in the world and need mental & physical stimulation to remain happy and healthy pets.


White Necked Ravens as Pets:

The Ravens are the most intelligent birds on the planet!! They arevery inquizitive and have a great willingness to learn. They learnquickly and can also become great talkers. Due to their intelligence,they often form very strong bonds with their family (the owners). I consider them a wonderful pet, however they are not for everyone. They are quite large in size - intimidating to most, and require adequatespace in which to live, play and excercise in order to thrive. Anotherlarge consideration is their diet & droppings! They can be expensive to feed and quite messy. Care must be taken to properly socialize these birds at a very young age. If not, they can become only a 1 or 2 person bird. One must provide them with a considerable amount of mental stimulation. When a White Necked Raven is kept in a healthy and wholesome environment, they are normally a joy to be around. Those looking to add a Ravento their family should do plenty of research to ensure they can providethe kind of home that will condusive to a healthy & successful family experience. Doing so will help ensure that both bird and family will enjoy many happy years together.


If you think a White-Necked African Raven might be the right bird for you, contact Daniel Walthers at Winding Woods Ranch to see if you can schedule a visit with him and his birds. Seeing how White-Necked African Raven behave in their home environment will help you decide whether or not this species is a good choice for your lifestyle.