Two weeks early

The winter in southern Sweden has been unusually mild, and the last week has been nicely spring-like. Siden and Juno has already courted each other for a few weeks, and we have them separated from the rest of group in one of the aviaries.
When we came home from Bavaria last week they started on their nest - same spot as last year- but it took them several days to find the perfekt starting-twigs. They tried out at least 40-50 twigs before the base of nest finally started to form.

Last year they didn't start building until mid March, and on March 13th it looked like this!


 //Helena

Visiting Austria and Bavaria

Last week we visited Auguste von Bayern in Bavaria, and also made a quick stop at Haidlhof for a chat with Thomas Bugnyar. Mathias was discussiong a joint book project with them both, and at Auguste's place we also met Ivo, who is doing planning experiments on the New Caledonian crows.
Unfortunately I completely forgot to take photos, but Mathias shot some pictures of these lovely little black creatures...hand raised baby Caledonians..!

//Helena

Research on the news

Last week, the news report made by the local tv-news some time ago appeared on tv. Watch it HERE.

Smelly clams

We get most of our raven food from the local ICA Kvantum grocery store. As you can guess, we are very grateful for this, as the ravens eat quite a lot - most of it meat. As the food that we get is past due date, it sometimes gets extremely smelly - especially fish and seafood. And even if the ravens don't mind, we still have to handle it...or get it stuffed into our pockets or into our collars. It has happened more than once that we have sensed a weird odour half a day...before finding a piece of rotten liver, neatly hidden in one of our pockets. This is why fish and seafood is best given frozen, or when the temperature is below zero.
Especially clams is a rare dish on the raven meny, so when we got several packages of clams last week, we were quite happy! Not only because it diversifies the diet - it is also enriching. The ravens seem to enjoy the shape and size as much - or even more - as the content. A bit like a Kinder egg.

Best to bring my clam where ever I go.

//Helena

Play in the snow

Finally, winter is here, the ravens seem to think. With their beaks buried deep into the snow, rolling around or jumping in the air to catch snowballs, they just seem to have a great time.

 

 

 //Helena

Secret places

The aviaries can look quite boring and rubbishy this time of year, with old shoes and boots lying around. But when you take closer look...

...you find than an old rubber boot can be the perfect hiding place for a piece of grilled chicken. Especially if you cover the chicken with a dried leaf.

//Helena

New year

Mathias has spent most of the Christmas writing up several papers, and I have been busy analyzing film for one of the studies - more about that in another blog post.

The ravens are doing fine, although I think they would have been happier with lots of snow. They seem to be in a good mood, with the breeding season approaching.

Today I introduced a box that will be part of an experiment on physical cognition, and all of a sudden our companionable ravens were gone!

Perching on the highest branches, peering down on the unfamiliar thing with great skepticism.

Juno, my most faithful friend, accepted to come down and sit on me - and feed on frolic - but she didn't dare to stay if I kneeled by the box. Let's hope that the habitation process will be quick this time...

//Helena