An exciting new character in Adrift on the Tide is Will Young’s pet raven, Mab. Ravens are common in Nova Scotia. You can find them throughout the province near roadsides, in forests, and in urban areas, where they often feed on waste and garbage. I have often spotted them, while driving rural roads, scavenging roadkill.
Ravens vs Crows
To tell a raven from a crow, look for a thicker, curved beak and bigger body about the same size as a red-tailed hawk. A full-grown raven can have a wingspan of up to 150 m or about 5 feet compared to 90 m or about 3 feet for a crow. Since Mab is a female, I have made her wingspan about 120 m or slightly under 4 feet. Compared to crows, ravens have a wedge-shaped tail and more often glide on the air currents.
Talking Ravens
Ravens are exceedingly smart, with an intelligence level said to be that of a seven-year-old child. It is not surprising that they can talk.
In addition to various sounds such as clicks, croaks, hums, coos, rattles, and groans, ravens communicate using gestures, such as pointing their beak at an object or by picking up or pecking something to attract your attention. They also say words, sentences and songs that they hear.
I have imagined Mab as being able to say a number of words and some simple sentences and to sing the song “Loch Lomond.” Because ravens are perfect imitators, not only does Mab say the words, but she says them in the exact voice of the characters from whom she’s learned them. In addition, she can make sounds such as a truck engine starting up, a whistle, and an alarm clock.
Here is a list of some of Mab’s vocabulary
- Danger. Danger
- Feed me
- Good riddance
- Goodbye
- Hello. Hello
- Later
- Out
- Over
- Red
- Ridin’ Hood
- See yah
- Stay calm
- Time to eat
- Water
- Will
- Wood on the fire
Here is a video of a talking raven.
Learn more about ravens and crows here:
What kind of person do you think would want to keep a raven as a pet?
(Note: Ravens are wild. It is illegal in most places to keep them as pets, though in some locations you can get special permission.
Tide Harbor Suspense by Zara West 