When Mischief the White-Necked Raven talks, he sounds uncannily like a human. <br /> <br />It’s really very bizarre. <br /> <br />Ravens, his owner explains, are excellent at mimicking the sound they hear. <br /> <br />But unlike parrots, who sort of squawk the sounds they hear, ravens – or at least, this raven – sound very human-like. <br /> <br />‘Mischief can you say hello?’ his trainer asks. <br />‘Hello’ he replies. <br /> <br />‘He does all sorts of voices. Can you say hi?’ his owner then asks. <br /> <br />‘Hi,’ he replies. <br /> <br />It’s very odd, and his trainer is clearly very good at what she does, but perhaps we shouldn’t expect any less from the raven, which is regarded by scientists as a ‘logical animal’ like chimpanzees and dolphins, and is one of the most intelligent creatures in the animal kingdom. <br /> <br />Our only issue is this: <br /> <br />Surely, surely teach Mischief to say ‘nevermore.’
