Ravenblack Intelligence

A remarkably intelligent book about remarkably intelligent animals: the renowned zoologist presents amazing facts along with all the essential information about these fascinating birds in a highly entertaining manner.

Ravens can tell lies, distinguish between right and wrong, retaliate against their enemies, as well as having the capacity to develop extraordinary memories. These enigmatic creatures are songbirds that don’t sing, but at the same time have an uncanny ability – unequalled in the animal kingdom – to imitate the human voice. It is hardly surprising, then, that we humans have always found these creatures unnerving, as evidenced by their role in folklore and mythology throughout the centuries. Researchers are keen to learn more about their remarkable degree of intelligence. Josef H. Reichholf’s book is the result of many years spent gathering information and observing the astonishing behavioural patterns of these magnificent birds.

The zoologist and ornithologist Professor Josef H. Reichholf was the proud owner of a number of tame jackdaws, and, over time he kept a carrion crow, in addition to gaining a great deal of experience with ravens. He is head of the vertebrate section of the State Zoological Collection in Munich and lectures in ecology and evolutionary biology at the LMU, Munich University. His research and publications, which reflect his courage to think way beyond basic book-learning, have won him numerous prizes.