https://www.yellowstone.org/naturalist-notes-wolves-and-ravens/ * * * * * JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST Yellowstone Forever Yellowstone Forever * 150 Years + Inheritance Pass + History + Future + Events * About + Board of Directors + Jobs + Financials + Strategic Plan + National Advisory Council + Young Patrons + Staff + Sustainability + Contact Us * Projects + Protect Wildlife + Preserve Resources + Enhance Experiences + Highlight: Sustainability Projects * Education + Yellowstone Forever Institute + Field Seminars + Private Tours + Lodging & Learning + Health Information + COVID-19 Health & Safety + Expectations in Yellowstone + Cancellation & Refund Policy * News + Blog + Videos + Visiting Yellowstone + Yellowstone Quarterly * Shop * Ways to Give + Donate Online + Monthly Giving + Yellowstone Society + Corporate Partnerships + Member Benefits + Planned Giving + Matching Gifts + Other Ways to Give * Donate [ ] JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST Yellowstone Forever Yellowstone Forever * 150 Years + Inheritance Pass + History + Future + Events * About + Board of Directors + Jobs + Financials + Strategic Plan + National Advisory Council + Young Patrons + Staff + Sustainability + Contact Us * Projects + Protect Wildlife + Preserve Resources + Enhance Experiences + Highlight: Sustainability Projects * Education + Yellowstone Forever Institute + Field Seminars + Private Tours + Lodging & Learning + Health Information + COVID-19 Health & Safety + Expectations in Yellowstone + Cancellation & Refund Policy * News + Blog + Videos + Visiting Yellowstone + Yellowstone Quarterly * Shop * Ways to Give + Donate Online + Monthly Giving + Yellowstone Society + Corporate Partnerships + Member Benefits + Planned Giving + Matching Gifts + Other Ways to Give * Donate [ ] Blog Mar 10 [NPS_WolfMagpiesRavens_NOV16_HerbertNeal-1000x563] Naturalist Notes: Wolves and Ravens * March 10, 2020 * Wildlife, Wolves, Yellowstone Quarterly By Brad Bulin, Senior Naturalist Ravens and wolves have a special relationship. Called "wolf birds" by various cultures, ravens have important ties to wolves. Like many scavengers, the common raven (Corvus corax) is especially tied to large predators that serve as potential food providers. Wolves provide many Yellowstone species a year-round food not necessarily available prior to their re-establishment in the park: carrion. Bears, eagles, magpies, and several other species also benefit from this food source. Ravens begin eating carrion quickly, usually arriving not soon after a kill, but rather--because of their close association with wolves--being there when the kill is made. As many as 135 ravens have been seen on one carcass! Interestingly, these birds will not only eat some of the food, but cache (store) as much as possible. It is believed that in some cases the raven, not the wolf, will harvest the majority of a large animal carcass. [WolfHowling_BlacktailPonds_DEC19_NPS_PeacoJim-1] Wolf at Blacktail Pond. NPS / Jim Peaco Ravens are highly regarded for their social skills, a complicated communication system, and excellent visual recognition. These vocal birds make lots of noise when they find a dead animal, drawing attention to the carcass so that larger, more "tooled" scavengers can open up the hide and eventually provide food for the ravens. Those social skills have not gone unnoticed when observing wolf/raven interactions. Ravens have often been seen interacting with wolves, especially pups and yearlings. These intriguing birds have been known to grab sticks and play tug-of-war with wolf puppies, to fly over young wolves with sticks and tease the small canines into jumping up to grab the sticks, and even to boldly pull the tails of wolves to initiate a reaction. Some scientists have theorized that individual ravens may even develop special bonds with individual wolves within a pack. Perhaps we will soon know more about this fascinating animal relationship, as a new research study in Yellowstone hopes to shed light on many facets of raven life, including their relationship with wolves on the landscape. This article was originally published in the Spring 2020 issue of Yellowstone Quarterly. Comments are closed. Blog Categories * About Yellowstone Forever + Partners + Preserving the Park * Events * Inside Yellowstone + Geysers + Park Updates + Reports from the Field * Institute + Life at Lamar * Uncategorized * Wildlife + Bears + Bison + Cougar + Elk + Raptors + Wolves * Yellowstone History * Yellowstone Quarterly GET TO KNOW US * Programs * Other Ways to Give * Join Our Email List Donate Yellowstone Forever is a 501(c)3. All donations are tax deductible. EIN 47-5427975 CONTACT US Yellowstone Forever PO Box 1857 Bozeman, MT 59771-1857 OFFICIAL PARTNER [NationalPa] The official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park [BIA_seal_1] Yellowstone Forever is a Best in America charity. FOLLOW US While Yellowstone National Park is anticipating wi While Yellowstone National Park is anticipating winter weather the next few days...we're dreaming of spring! Yellowstone Forever petunias are back or coming soon (depending on location) to @loweshomeimprovement stores and independent garden centers across the country. Check with your local store for delivery date.We're proud to have horticulture breeder and propagator @dummenorangena as a partner in our work to protect, preserve, and enhance Yellowstone. Royalty revenues from the sales of their Yellowstone Forever petunias go toward priority projects in Yellowstone National Park.Photo: This season's blooms/YF Board Chair Kevin Butt#springiscoming #ynpforever No matter how many times you put socks and shoes o No matter how many times you put socks and shoes on a bear....they'll still have bear feet.: NPS/Jim Peaco#dadjokes #bears #ynpforever "... of the route lay through a magnificent forest "... of the route lay through a magnificent forest of pines & firs all growing straight as a ships mast, & growing but a few feet apart." - From the diary of Thomas Moran, artist and member of the 1871 Hayden expedition.: NPS/ Jacob Frank Heads up! Elk calving season will begin soon in Ye Heads up! Elk calving season will begin soon in Yellowstone National Park. Cow elk are much more aggressive towards people during the calving season and may run towards you or kick, stay alert! Remember, You are responsible for your own safety. So look around corners before exiting buildings or walking around blind spots, always keep at least 25 yards (23 m) from elk, and if an elk run towards you, find shelter in your vehicle or behind a tall, sturdy barrier as quickly as possible.: NPS/Jacob Frank We're excited to bring two creative leaders to the We're excited to bring two creative leaders to the Yellowstone Forever Institute this June to teach Yellowstone in Watercolor and Word. Register at the link in our bio.This two-day course will allow students paint and write, inspired by the landscapes, historic sites, wildlife, and magnificent colors of Yellowstone. You'll visit both popular and less known locales and discover plein air watercolor sketching methods and an organic approach to writing. You'll learn how to capture immediate impressions on location through painting and writing, then return to the classroom to develop your sketches, and draft and discuss writings.The class will take place June 2-4 is taught by:- Molly Hashimoto, author of Colors of the West: An Artist's Guide to Nature's Palette and Birds of the West: An Artist's Guide- Ilona Popper, M.A., a naturalist, poet, freelance writer, and author of a poetry book.Register at the link in our bio.: Suzie Garner If you're headed to Yellowstone this summer, or If you're headed to Yellowstone this summer, or anywhere considered bear country, it's up to you to carry bear spray and know how to use it! Here are some tips from @yellowstonenps on using bear spray:- Keep it readily accessible in a quick draw holster, not stored in your pack.- You don't have to be a good shot with bear spray. Just put up a cloud of spray between you and the charging bear.- Practice! Use an inert can of bear spray to practice removing it from your holster, removing the safety tab with your thumb, and firing. Practice firing inert bear spray with the wind at your back, into a head wind, and with a crosswind so that you understand how bear spray is affected by the wind.- Do not use bear spray like insect repellent. It does not work as a deterrent when applied to people or equipment.- Make sure your bear spray is EPA-approved: don't depend on personal defense products to stop a charging bear.- Bear spray can explode if it reaches 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Don't store it in the passenger compartment of vehicles or near any heat sources.- Make sure your bear spray hasn't expired.Take more steps to stay safe in bear country by visiting the link in our stories. #bearaware #heybear #yellowstonenationalpark # ynpforever Follow on Instagram Copyright (c) 2022 Yellowstone Forever. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy (Updated May 2018) | Permissions | State Disclosures * * * * *