Ravens leaflet

Raven watch
These magnificent birds, large members
of the genus Corvus, the crow family,
respond only to the Ravenmaster and
should not be approached too closely
by anyone else.
There is a complement of six birds
plus reserves. They preside over four
different territories within the Tower
precincts.
Spot the ravens
Band Name Gender Birthplace Year
Marley Male North Somerset 2006
Erin Female North Somerset 2006
Merlin Female South Wales 2005
Baldrick Male Dartmoor 2005
Munin Female North Uist (Scotland) 1995
Thor Male Hampshire 1995
Hugine Female North Uist (Scotland) 1995
Gwyllum Male Welsh Mountain Zoo 1988
Conservation
Branwen is currently taking part in a conservation programme
on Dartmoor. We hope to have some of her off-spring at the
Tower in the future.
6 raven facts
Raven territories
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Ravens can live to a ripe old age. The oldest raven to
live at the Tower was called Jim Crow who died at the
age of 44.
The ravens are given 6oz of raw meat and bird formula
biscuits soaked in blood each day. Once a week they
enjoy an egg, plus the occasional rabbit, which is given
to them whole because the fur is good for them!
To prevent the birds from flying away, their lifting
feathers are trimmed by the Ravenmaster. This
procedure does not hurt, nor does it harm them in any
way but by unbalancing their flight it merely ensures they
don’t stray far from the Tower.
33 Tower Green
Here, Anne Boleyn’s execution would have
been observed by the ravens.
Coldharbour Gate (remains)
The site of an early entrance to the Tower.
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There has been the occassional raven escape. Grog was
last seen outside an East End pub called the Rose and
Puncbowl in 1981. Whilst he had been at the Tower for 21
years, he clearly felt the need for a change.
Thor, a very good mimic, came from The Owl Sanctuary
in the New Forest having been rescued as a fledgling. On
a quiet day he will repeat things the Ravenmaster has
said to him with exactly the right tone to create all sorts
of confusion!
Ravenmaster Derrick Coyle, first donned his Yeoman
Warder’s uniform at the age of 39. As an animal
lover with a lifelong interest in birds, he became a
Ravenmaster’s assistant just two months later. Finally,
after two Ravenmasters retired, he got the top job in
1999 and plans to keep doing it until retiring at 65.
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Wall of the Inmost Ward
In the shadow of William the Conqueror’s
White Tower.
Roman City Wall (South Lawn)
Londinium’s Roman walls, only the
foundations of which remain.