Raven: Birds of Britain

Raven. Familiar Wild Birds by W Swaysland

Largest of native crows, ravens are scavengers and eaters of carrion – often to be seen in groups around dying sheep or deer on the hills and sea cliffs in the west and north of Britain. Norse sagas tell of ravens awaiting good pickings during battles in Viking times. Yet in folklore these sinister birds are often seen as protectors. According to legend, Britain will be invaded if the tame ravens leave the Tower of London, and a raven’s head was said to have been buried on Tower Hill in the 13th century to guard Londoners against their enemies.

This edited article originally appeared in Look and Learn issue number 909 published on 23 June 1979. Click on a picture to find out more about licensing images for commercial or personal/educational use. We are also able to license textual material. Please contact us for details.