20250224_Yellowstone_1531_Web_031226
A pair of mated ravens, Corvus corax, in Yellowstone National Park, look at one another in the moment before they continued to clean each otherâs feathers. The ravens alighted on this snow bank after I had stopped to see if there was any movement in a bear den nearby. They were fully aware of my presence, even though I was photographing from behind the fender of my car, giving them space . The ravens chose to continue allopreening one another, cleaning each others for feathers looking for parasites and tapping beaks. As I watched, I guessed and later confirmed that this was a mated pair simply because of the way they cared for one another. Common ravens who typically mate for life, have one of the earliest mating rituals in North America and begin their courtship as early as January. Typical courtship behavior is exactly what you see in the photos - sitting alongside each other, preening and making warbling sounds. It was an extraordinary and unexpected moment to witness and I am beyond grateful to have had that opportunity. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States 44°54'59.0256" N 110°26'21.9264" W