We call him Hopper because he does this funny big hop. Sometimes when he’s walking, sometimes when he’s just standing looking around for the next piece of food. It’s quite a useless hop, just a vertical jump that doesn’t take him anywhere!
After I saw him do this a couple of times I researched, and discovered that this is what ravens do — Hopper just looked at me as if to say “I told you so!”
He comes pretty much every day to see what goodies I’ve put out for him to eat. He eats a lot and then fills up his beak and flies back home with his haul.
Photo by Jennifer P. Tanabe
Sometimes his mate, Mrs. Hopper, comes flying in as if to tell him its her turn. So then, like a good husband, he flies back home and lets her eat.
One day Hopper came too early (or maybe I was late), before I’d put out any food. I heard this annoyed sounding “Huh, Huh, Huh” and sure enough it was Hopper marching up and down complaining.
Some days he goes to our birdbath and has a drink. I’ve seen the crows bring pieces of food (the hard crusts of bread that I put out sometimes) and dip them in the water — softens them up! I am guessing Hopper does the same. Ravens are smart too!
Photo by Jennifer P. Tanabe
Ravens often get a bad rap, though. I blame Edgar Allan Poe (whose writings I love) who wrote about the Raven, with the famous line “Quoth the Raven ‘Nevermore’.” Sorry to Poe, who experienced many a dark night, but I think our raven, Hopper, brings good fortune, or at least entertainment.
Ravens are also significant in Britain, specifically the ones that live at the Tower of London. They are known as the guardians of the Tower, and they have an important job. Well, it’s quite easy really. They just have to live there! There is even a Ravenmaster who feeds them, so they have no need to go elsewhere. You see, legend has it that if the ravens leave the tower, the kingdom will fall. So, it’s quite a responsibility. But having observed Hopper, I think they’re up to the task.
I hope Hopper keeps living near us, and coming to eat every day. He’s really quite magnificent, and I always laugh when he hops!
Jennifer P. Tanabe 