Book overview
In Mind of the Raven, Bernd Heinrich, award-winning naturalist, finds himself dreaming of ravens and decides he must get to the truth about this animal reputed to be so intelligent.
Much like a sleuth, Heinrich involves us in his quest to understand their world, letting one clue lead to the next. But as animals can only be spied on by getting quite close Heinrich adopts ravens, thereby becoming a "raven father," as well as observing them in their natural habitat. Through this immersive study of animal behavior, he examines their daily routines and in the process paints a vivid picture of the world as lived by the ravens. At the heart of this book are Heinrich's love and respect for these complex and engaging creatures, and through his keen observation and analysis, we become their intimates too.
Throughout history there has existed an extraordinary relationship between humans and ravens. Ravens, like early humans, are scavengers on the kills of great carnivores. As scavengers, ravens were associated with hunters they found in the north: wolves and, later, men. The trinity of wolf, man, and raven in the hunt is an extremely ancient one. In considering the appeal of the raven, Bernd Heinrich suspects that a meeting of the minds--and a key to corvid intelligence--might reside in that hunting trinity.
Heinrich's passion for ravens has led him around the world in his research. Mind of the Raven takes you on an exotic journey--from New England to Germany, Montana to Baffin Island in the high Arctic--offering dazzling accounts of how science and ornithology work in the field, filtered through the eyes of a passionate observer of nature.
Heinrich has a true gift; through his stories, his beautiful writing, illustrations, and photography, the ravens come alive. Each new discovery and insight into their behavior is thrilling to read. just as the title promises, the reader is given a rare glimpse into the mind of these wonderful creatures.
Following the dictum of Leonardo da Vinci--"It is not enough to believe what you see. YOU Must also understand what you see"--Bernd Heinrich enables us to see the natural world through the eyes of a scientist. At once lyrical and scientific, this naturalist memoir, Mind of the Raven, is a modern classic.
This landmark of nature writing offers a rare glimpse into the mind of one of the world's most fascinating creatures, exploring in detail:
- Corvid Intelligence: Through keen observation and clever field experiments, Heinrich tests the problem-solving abilities and complex mental world of these highly intelligent birds.
- The Wolf-Bird Connection: Discover the ancient trinity of wolf, man, and raven, and investigate the deep, symbiotic relationship between these northern hunters.
- A Naturalist's Journey: Follow Heinrich from the woods of New England to the high Arctic as he becomes a "raven father," raising young ravens to understand their world from the inside.
- Complex Social Behavior: Witness the intricate daily routines, partnerships, communication, and social webs that define the life of a raven.
