“He will stalk us around the yard or stare relentlessly through the window if he sees us eating one.” Ravens and other corvids are renowned for their ability to remember faces. But in Los Angeles, California, one exceptional raven named James has developed a remarkable knack: recognizing sandwiches.
James has captured the attention of his human neighbor, LouAnne Brickhouse, who has been fondly observing him since 2015, when she and her wife installed a bird bath in their yard. James and his companion, Margaret, quickly claimed the bath as their own and have been regular visitors to the Brickhouses’ home ever since.
An ardent wildlife enthusiast, Brickhouse began leaving out food bowls filled with James’ favorite snacks such as fruits and seeds, typical fare for ravens in the wild. The friendly bird happily indulged in these treats, occasionally sharing them with Margaret during mating season, yet it soon became evident he had a particular interest elsewhere.
Whenever Brickhouse prepared a grilled cheese sandwich, James reliably appeared at the window soon after.
“While we’re unsure how he initially learned about grilled cheese sandwiches, we’ve come to appreciate his uncanny awareness,” Brickhouse shared.
When James finally managed to snag a small bite of Brickhouse’s grilled cheese one day, he was instantly hooked. Despite being regularly offered fruits and seeds, James never showed the same level of enthusiasm as he did toward a grilled cheese sandwich.
“He will stalk us around the yard or stare relentlessly through the window if he sees us eating one,” Brickhouse explained. “Usually, we stick to foods he would naturally find in the wild. But he always manages to get a bite of our grilled cheese sandwiches.”
James relishes nothing more than devouring a small portion of grilled cheese, but the Brickhouses’ tasty offering benefits more than just him. During mating season, James always reserves a piece for his mate, Margaret.
“He takes care of all the feeding and hydrating of Margaret while she incubates their eggs,” Brickhouse explained. “James will take the bread, dip it in the fountain until it’s soaked, and then fly off to deliver it to her. It’s his improvised raven version of our human cup.”
After delivering dinner to his girlfriend, James typically settles in for a cozy night’s rest, then returns promptly to the Brickhouses’ home in the morning for breakfast. Despite numerous homes with bird feeders, only theirs offers his beloved sandwiches.
And the Brickhouses are delighted to have him.
“He certainly has a strong personality,” Brickhouse remarked. “His character is extraordinary and endearing.”