I thought maybe a group of ravens was called a “cacophony” (if you know ravens, you know why I might have thought that). But no. A group of ravens is called an *unkindness*. How unkind is that?
Ravens actually are quite intelligent and very social. This website explains the early misunderstanding about their behavior that led to that term. They can also be called a “conspiracy” of ravens, a “treachery” of ravens and – perhaps my favorite, just because I’m a fan of alliteration – a “rave” of ravens! Also (boringly), a flock.
While the two pictured were engaged in an aerial disagreement (?!) across a large swath of ridge and sky, a third followed … maybe ready to console the loser or congratulate the winner? (There’s my own misunderstanding, shining through!) In any case, I was kinda stoked to see the above pic show up on my computer monitor. And very glad to get the lower raven’s wingtip juuuuuust within the frame of the original image (I did crop out a length of sky above them).
Spring Creek Basin Mustangs 
Ravens are powerful and graceful flyers, I am always impressed by their intelligence a d presence. They are so much more visible in the Autumn, not sure why?!
I almost wondered whether they were courting … but in the fall? We have them year-round. They’re wildly fascinating!
What a great photo, TJ! I just love ravens, one of my favorites; they’re smart and comical and so adaptable – successful occupiers of both desert and mountain. They are fun to watch!
They are all of that! This has been the year of the magpies (also smart, social, funny birds!), and they either keep the ravens away, or the ravens are just too smart to be bothered. Ha! 🙂
That’s just wrong. Ravens are great. They should be called a “curiosity” or a “remembrance” as in “Hi Martha! Glad you’re back!” or a “beach party” for the way they get their pals together to surf the wind.
I love all of those suggestions! 🙂 Especially the “beach party” of ravens!
I climbed up a rocky steep slope to find half a dozen ravens surfing on the wind. I grabbed a seat to one side to watch. After a while, I saw they were showing off for me. Their acrobatics got more and more incredible — flips and all. Maybe I should paint it.
You totally should paint it! I’ve seen them lots of times “surfing” the wind currents along/off/above ridges. That is absolutely incredible!
I had no idea the beautiful Ravens (nice capture!!!) and our leaders had so much in common with their names! Well, except the intelligent part? 😁 tee hee
Sadly! 🙂
Wow!!
I was glad to capture that one moment as they whirled and dove past!