José Juan Hernández Martinez's Image

Taking up position in his hide before dawn, José watched as the raven investigated an empty glass bottle with curiosity. ‘It peered into the opening,’ recalls José, ‘then picked it up with its bill, placing it in different positions – even upright – to better inspect the contents’.

Ravens are well known for their inquisitive nature and, like many corvids, their intelligence. The empty glass bottle is a death trap for small creatures such as lizards and shrews, all potential snacks. Though they hunt insects and small vertebrates, carrion is top of the menu for hungry ravens.