Ravens as pets?

[GracelynNBirds]

This is a giant IF but I had a few questions about White Necked Ravens.

1. What bar spacing do they need for cage/aviary
2. Does anyone own one and could you tell me your experience and anything extra I need to know?
3. Could you tell me about their diet?
4. What should the layout of the aviary/cage be like? (where to put perches, what type of toys, what type of perches, etc)
5. What is their noise level?
6. How cuddly are they?
7. Do they bite?
8. Do they have to have an outdoor aviary?
9. Do their claws hurt when they are on your arm?

Thank you so much and have a wonderful day!

 

[SailBoat]

Are you serious or dreaming a bit here?

They are very large and intelligent birds, and not for the faint of heart.

I would strongly recommend that you complete a very detailed Web search to get a understanding of what is involved in caring for a White Neck Raven.

They are commonly kept in very large 'enclosures' (think Zoo).

 

[texsize]

I read an article in the local news paper (California) a woman was forced to release her raven because it was illegal to keep as a "pet".
I would not be surprised if the law in Texas was more lenient but I would check it out and not advertise this if you go through with it.

When I was very little (2 years old?) I have been told we (parents and us kids) visited people in Washington state that had a raven as a pet. I don't have personal memory of the event but I am told it made a good pet with one exception.
It had a fascination for shiny objects. It would steal them from all over the house and hide them.

Also... I would be very concerned that this bird would scare the LIFE out of your cockatiels. We have a lot of ravens in the area I live. any time one or a group fly too close to my house it drives my poor little Tiels into a flutter.
texsize

 

[labell]

There really isn't a cage built that is adequate in size for them, even a double macaw cage is much too small. Most people who have them give them a bedroom to themselves AND an outdoor enclosed flight space.

Their diet has to include meat, much more meat based protein than you would ever give to a parrot.

Yes, those beaks can peck and bite, yes it hurts. In the wild they eat carrion so those beaks are sharp enough to rip and render flesh. Nails can become talons if not groomed, no most don't like it.

They are highly intelligent and must have constant stimulation and something to really challenge and occupy their minds or they can be very destructive. I mean destroy your house destructive.

 

[labell]

I read an article in the local news paper (California) a woman was forced to release her raven because it was illegal to keep as a "pet".
I would not be surprised if the law in Texas was more lenient but I would check it out and not advertise this if you go through with it.

When I was very little (2 years old?) I have been told we (parents and us kids) visited people in Washington state that had a raven as a pet. I don't have personal memory of the event but I am told it made a good pet with one exception.
It had a fascination for shiny objects. It would steal them from all over the house and hide them.

Also... I would be very concerned that this bird would scare the LIFE out of your cockatiels. We have a lot of ravens in the area I live. any time one or a group fly too close to my house it drives my poor little Tiels into a flutter.
texsize

A white necked raven that the poster is asking about is from Africa mostly. There are no white necked raven's in the US so it isn't illegal. It is illegal to take a native crow or raven in as a pet though.

 

[Allee]

Laura, I was hoping my favorite Corvid admirer would see this thread!

I have no trouble at all understanding the attraction but I have to agree, it would be a real problem to meet the needs of these creatures.

 

[GracelynNBirds]

Laura, I was hoping my favorite Corvid admirer would see this thread!

I have no trouble at all understanding the attraction but I have to agree, it would be a real problem to meet the needs of these creatures.

Thank you all for the reply. I very much admire these birds but I was on the fence about it. I'm still trying to find that "perfect" companion.

 

[RavensGryf]

I'm fascinated by ravens, but realize they don't make good house pets for the average owner. I used to have a dark recurring dream as a child that featured a raven.

Texsize, I'm not sure where in the huge place they call so-cal you live, but I'm out here too, and I've never seen a raven in person ever. I only see crows here

 

[Mimsy01]

My grandmother had one when I was very very young, not the same kind as your inquiring about however. She didn't cage hers, it was one they raised that the cat found as a baby, so it just came and went as it pleased. They do bite, though not as hard as a large parrot, but it does hurt a lot. They are very smart and learn to open a lot of things up and can make HUGE messes in the process. You'd want to do a lot of research.

If I were to even consider such a pet I think I'd want enough space to have a large outdoor aviary and then probably a large parrot cage in the house. I suspect even those with a ton of extra time on their hands would have the stamina for watching a raven indoors enough, so I'd want them to go outside in aviary for extra stimulation...and a break for me.

I have a starling, which in some ways is a very small crow. The amount of poop is crazy. If you came over and looked at all my birds cages after a day of not being cleaned, you'd swear I forgot about the starling for a week, while the conures look pretty good. All the top shelves, computer monitors, tvs ect have covers that can be taken off and washed regularly too. Anything not too heavy he steals or tosses off things. All fruit/vegies/bread products have to be in covered baskets or he pokes holes in them. You can't leave anything small enough to swallow out either, if he thinks you will take it from him he'll eat ANYTHING to keep it from you. Larger items he will hide...like inside lamps, so I have to check all the time so the house doesn't get burned down. On the good side, he does eat any spiders or flys that make the mistake of flying/crawling into my house. He makes me smile every single day though with his sweet little voice and silly antics.

 

[Puck]

Does anyone else have a LOT of "NEVERMORE" jokes rolling around in their heads?

Quothe the raven...