by Editor Jane Lyons
Edited and published by Yvette Depaepe, the 9th of January 2026

“Raven” by Yuris Zaleskis

Blackbird singing in the dead of night
Take these broken wings and learn to fly
All your life
You were waiting for this moment to arise

~Lennon-McCartney~

Crows and ravens hold a place of mystery, superstition and great mythology in cultures around the world. 

Crows and ravens belong to the genus Corvus. While they differ slightly in appearance (ravens are larger and have a different tail shape), both birds are intelligent, social and mysterious, and prone to loud vocalizations. 

For centuries, artists have been compelled to depict these birds in drawings, carvings, sculptures, paintings and photographs, portraying them as rich, graphic motifs filled with folklore and symbolism, defined by the places they inhabit. These birds have achieved great distinction not only in the visual arts, but also in literature, song and film. 

Their stark black plumage, iridescent sheen and complex nature have attracted artists exploring themes of light, shadow, shape, line and duality. In most cultures, the legend surrounding these birds is a symbol of change, intelligence and the mysteries of life and the afterlife. 

“The Crow” by Holger Droste

“The Raven” by Mario Grobenski - psychodaddy

“Hermanos Coral” by Juanjo Del Alar

“My Best Friend Dust” by Carola Kayen-Mouthaan

“story about 2 lovers” by Piet Flour

“When I Miss You” by hardibudi

“Raven Dance” by Christophe Kiciak

“Story” by Ewa Cwikla

‘the visitor” by Holger Droste

SOME FACTS ABOUT CROWS AND RAVENS

Crows and ravens are among the smartest animals in the world. They are known for their problem-solving abilities, tool-making and use, and facial recognition.

Their intelligence is comparable to that of a young child or a great ape.
Both ravens and crows are highly social animals. They mate for life and live for an average of 20 years in the wild, and much longer in captivity.
A flock of crows is called a 'murder', while a flock of ravens is called an 'unkindness' or a 'conspiracy'.
Crows and ravens generally do not get along. Crows are usually the aggressors, and disputes are typically over food or territory.
Alfred Hitchcock used 3,200 trained birds in his film The Birds. He revealed that the crows and ravens were the most intelligent, while the seagulls were the most vicious.

“Wet” by Jane Lyons

“the kitchen is very good today” by Holger Droste

“The Sentinels” by Paulo Dias

“When the World Refuses Freedom for Me” by Charlaine Gerber

“The Raven” by Loulou Beavers

“memento mori” by Cristian Andreescu

“Trio" by Olga Rudchenko

“Jack-o\’Scarecrow” by Christophe Kiciak

Blackbirds feature in the mythologies of many different cultures. In some cultures, they are omens of death, while in others, they are messengers of the gods. They are generally considered to be tricksters, and their intelligence, ability to create tools, and capacity to recognize faces distinguish them from other animals and have given rise to a rich and fanciful body of folklore.

In ancient Greece, for example, the crow was a symbol of Apollo, the god of prophecy. Native American tribes viewed the crow/raven as a symbol of many things, including the creation of the world and the gift of sunlight to mankind. In all cultures, crows and ravens have different meanings and are associated with various superstitions.

For visual artists, the one thing that binds them together is their striking appearance: their black plumage, which provides a strong visual contrast against a wide range of environments. Their intelligence provides many opportunities to capture them in action in various scenarios, from international street photography and landscapes to seascapes and even the kitchen sink.

They can add a layer of mystery and transformation to most photographs.  Life is more interesting when we let them in. They are a gift to the visual arts and to us photographers.

“It is My Collar” by Carola Kayen-Mouthaan

“The Raven’s Widow” by  Peeters Jos

“Opportunities” by Lucinda Lu

“Palmen aus Plastik by Agnes

“Crows Morning” by Jose C. Labato

“The Crows” by Luc Vangindertael (laGrange)

“African Pied Crow Portrait” by Mathilde Guillemot

“The Scarecrow” by Baden Bowen

“Paris” by Mikko Lagerstedt

“crossflow” by Piet Flour

“Whisper” by Dismas Awang

“Crow’s Legs” by Jane Lyons

“Be like a Crow.
Collect shinny objects.
Hop happily down the street for no apparent reason and scream loudly when you see your friends”.

~anonymous~