Editing Raven (section)

==Maesters==
{{See also|:Category:Images of ravens|l1=Images of ravens}}
[[File:Raven.jpg|thumb|350px|A raven in [[Oldtown]], by Carolina Eade © Fantasy Flight Games]]
Ravens are used by [[maesters]] of the [[Citadel]] to [[w:homing pigeons|carry messages]] between castles and other settlements. While doves and pigeons can also be trained to carry messages, ravens are stronger flyers, larger, bolder, far more clever, and better able to defend themselves against [[hawk]]s.{{Ref|AGOT|60}} [[Owl]]s and hawks can still be threats to ravens, however.{{Ref|AGOT|66}} During wartime, soldiers often attempt to shoot down messenger ravens.{{Ref|AGOT|59}}{{Ref|ACOK|46}}

The maester of each castle usually tends to its own flock of ravens, breeding and training them.{{Ref|FAB|3}} Ravens sometimes imitate human speech like parrots.{{Ref|AGOT|52}}{{Ref|ACOK|0}}{{Ref|AFFC|0}} Maesters can teach the speech of ravens.{{Ref|AGOT|53}} Maesters raise a breed of large [[white raven]]s at the Citadel that are said to be more intelligent and are sent out to mark the change of seasons.{{Ref|ACOK|0}}

Most ravens are trained to fly to a specific castle, but some can be taught to fly between two castles and are therefore greatly prized. Maybe once a century, a particularly clever raven might be able to fly to as many as five castles upon command.{{Ref|TWoW||[[Theon I (The Winds of Winter)|Theon I]]}}