Okay, so here’s something that happened to me last spring that got me totally obsessed with this question. I was hiking near Yellowstone with my cousin Jake (who thinks he knows everything about birds, by the way), and we spotted this huge cluster of black birds just… hanging out on some dead tree branches.
“Look at all those crows!” Jake says, all confident-like.
But something felt off to me.
These birds looked bigger, more… I dunno, intimidating? So I whipped out my phone and started googling “what is a group of ravens called” right there on the trail.
What I found blew my mind and honestly made me feel a little bad for these amazing creatures.
The Main Answer: An Unkindness of Ravens (Yeah, Really!)
So here’s the deal – what is a group of ravens called? The most common answer is “an unkindness.” I know, I know, it sounds super harsh! When I told my 8-year-old nephew this, he literally said “That’s mean, Aunt Sarah. Ravens didn’t do anything wrong!”
Out of the mouths of babes, right?
But there’s actually this whole crazy backstory to why a group of ravens called an “unkindness” even became a thing. And spoiler alert – it’s based on some pretty unfair assumptions people made way back when.
The thing is, when people ask what is a group of ravens called, they usually expect something neutral like “flock.” But nope! We humans had to go and make it dramatic.
The Messed Up History Behind “Unkindness”
Alright, so picture this: It’s the 1800s, people don’t really understand animal behavior yet, and they’re watching ravens push their babies out of nests. What do they think? “OMG these birds are so cruel to their kids!”
Wrong! Turns out ravens are actually amazing parents. But did people bother to study this properly back then? Of course not.
Here’s what actually influenced this whole “unkindness” label:
- People saw young ravens getting “kicked out” and assumed the parents were being mean
- Ravens hang around battlefields and dead stuff (they gotta eat, people!)
- All that black feathering and those intense stares made people nervous
- Mythology painted them as tricksters and bad omens
Basically, humans saw what they wanted to see and decided a group of ravens called anything positive was just… not happening.
Wait, There’s Actually More Names! (Plot Twist!)
Here’s where it gets interesting and this is something most people don’t know when they’re wondering what is a group of ravens called. There isn’t just one answer!
Quick Reference Table: What to Call Raven Groups
| Group Name | When to Use It | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Unkindness | Traditional/formal | Dramatic, unfair |
| Conspiracy | When they’re problem-solving | Mysterious, smart |
| Treachery | Historical contexts | Dark, outdated |
| Rave | Casual/fun situations | Energetic, modern |
| Flock | Simple/neutral | Basic, safe |
A Conspiracy of Ravens
This one’s my absolute favorite! There’s something so perfectly fitting about it. I mean, have you ever watched ravens work together?
Last summer I witnessed five ravens figure out how to open one of those “animal-proof” trash cans at a campground.
They literally took turns trying different approaches until one figured it out, then they all learned from that bird.
If that’s not a conspiracy, I don’t know what is!
A Treachery of Ravens
Honestly, this one’s just as dramatic as “unkindness.” It comes from the same place – humans being suspicious of intelligent animals they didn’t understand.
A Rave of Ravens
Okay, this one cracks me up every time. A rave! Like they’re having some kind of bird party. And you know what? Sometimes it really does sound like that when you hear a group of ravens called together, chattering away.
Ravens vs Crows: Don’t Mix Them Up!
Since we’re talking about what is a group of ravens called, let’s clear up this confusion real quick. People mix up ravens and crows ALL the time (looking at you, Jake), but they have totally different group names:
Ravens get called:
- Unkindness, conspiracy, treachery, rave, flock
Crows get called:
- Murder, mob, muster
Yeah, crows get “murder” which honestly sounds even more intense than “unkindness”!
Quick way to tell them apart: Ravens are bigger, have diamond-shaped tails (crows have fan-shaped), and make deeper, more varied sounds. Also, ravens do this cool thing where they soar like hawks – crows just flap constantly.
The Truth About Ravens (Spoiler: They’re Actually Amazing)
This whole “unkindness” thing really bugs me because it’s so wrong! Modern research shows ravens are incredible parents and super social creatures.
They’re Ridiculously Smart
We’re talking bird geniuses here:
- They use tools (like, actually make them!)
- Remember human faces for YEARS
- Can learn to mimic speech better than some parrots
- Solve puzzles that stump little kids
I read this study from the University of Cambridge about ravens planning for future events. They can actually think ahead and save tools for later use. That’s some serious brainpower!
Family Life is Everything
Forget that “unkindness” nonsense. Ravens:
- Stay with their kids for months after they leave the nest
- Teach complex survival skills
- Form lifelong pair bonds
- Sometimes have older kids help raise new babies
According to research from Cornell Lab of Ornithology, young ravens often stick around their parents’ territory for up to three years, learning essential life skills.
When You’ll Actually See a Group of Ravens Called Together
Understanding when and why a group of ravens called an “unkindness” (or whatever you want to call them) gather can help you spot them:
Winter gatherings: This is when you’ll see the biggest groups – sometimes 50+ birds! They huddle together for warmth and share information about food sources.
Roosting sites: Ravens love to sleep together in large groups, especially in winter. Think big trees, cliffs, or even cell towers.
Food bonanzas: Find a good food source (roadkill, garbage, fish runs), and you’ll likely find a group of ravens called together to take advantage.
Young adult hangouts: Teenage ravens are basically like human teenagers – they hang out in groups before settling down with mates.
The Communication Game is INSANE
The way a group of ravens called together communicates is absolutely mind-blowing. They have different calls for:
- “Danger! Predator coming!”
- “Hey everyone, food over here!”
- “This is our territory, buzz off!”
- Just regular social chitchat
Some researchers think ravens have regional “dialects” like bird accents! The National Audubon Society has documented how raven calls vary by geographic region.
Cultural Impact: Why We’re So Fascinated
Ravens show up everywhere in human culture:
Norse mythology: Odin’s ravens Huginn and Muninn (Thought and Memory) would spy on the world for him.
Native American traditions: Many tribes see ravens as creators or important spiritual messengers.
Modern media: From Edgar Allan Poe to Game of Thrones, we can’t stop putting ravens in our stories.
Gothic imagery: That whole dark, mysterious vibe has made ravens symbols of… well, dark mysterious stuff.
Conservation Reality Check
While we’re talking about what is a group of ravens called, it’s worth mentioning these birds face real challenges:
Climate change is messing with their migration patterns and food sources. According to National Geographic, some raven populations are shifting their ranges as temperatures change.
Habitat loss affects where they can gather and roost. Urban development sometimes destroys traditional roosting sites where a group of ravens called together for generations.
Human-wildlife conflict happens when people don’t understand raven behavior. Education about these amazing birds helps reduce unnecessary persecution.
Random Mind-Blowing Raven Facts
- They can live 20+ years in the wild (some captive ravens hit 40!)
- Young ravens play games – sliding down snowy hills, playing catch with sticks
- They hold “raven funerals” where they gather around dead ravens and call loudly
- Some ravens learn to imitate car engines, chainsaws, and human laughter
- They’ve been caught using traffic to crack open nuts
My Personal Raven Revelation
Remember that hike with know-it-all Jake? Well, after learning all this stuff about what is a group of ravens called and why, I became that annoying person who corrects everyone about ravens versus crows.
But you know what’s cool? Last month I was back in that same area, and I swear I saw some of the same ravens. They looked right at me like they remembered me. Given their incredible memory for human faces, they probably did!
It made me think about how unfair that “unkindness” label really is. These birds are curious, playful, intelligent creatures that deserve way better than our outdated prejudices.
So What Should You Actually Call Them?
When someone asks what is a group of ravens called, you’ve got options! My vote? Let’s retire “unkindness” and go with “conspiracy” it’s way more accurate given their intelligence and teamwork abilities.
But honestly, whether you say unkindness, conspiracy, flock, or rave, the important thing is appreciating these remarkable birds for what they really are: some of the smartest, most social creatures in the animal kingdom.
Next time you see a group of ravens called together, take a minute to watch their interactions. You might just witness some of the most complex animal behavior on the planet!
Want to learn more about corvid intelligence? Check out local birding groups or citizen science projects – there’s always more to discover about these amazing birds.