A raven鈥檚 nest on the 天美传媒 Garden City campus reflects growing awareness of biodiversity, sustainability and the quiet presence of wildlife in our shared spaces.
Walk past the front entrance of Levermore Hall and you might hear them before you see them鈥攁 series of deep croaks and the occasional raspy chatter. Look to the top right corner of the building, and you鈥檒l find the source of the noise: a raven鈥檚 nest. Over recent weeks, this unexpected presence鈥攁nd unexpected clamor鈥攈as caught the attention of students and faculty alike.
The birds arrived earlier this spring and quickly drew attention, not just for their size but for the unique sounds echoing from the nest. Many assumed they were crows, but faculty in Adelphi鈥檚 biology department quickly clarified: These are ravens, and their presence offers more than just a passing curiosity.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e not just larger birds,鈥� said Shana Caro, DPhil, assistant professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. 鈥淭heir intelligence is pretty astounding. A lot of recent studies show that they approximate about a 7-year-old child in how well they can solve puzzles and deal with complex new situations.鈥�
Their vocalizations鈥攕ometimes abrupt鈥攁ren鈥檛 random noise but part of an active exchange. According to Dr. Caro, ravens are capable of vocal and gestural communication. They鈥檝e even been observed using their beaks to point鈥攁n ability that mirrors certain behaviors in primates and young children.
A Nest That Speaks to Sustainability
The decision to leave the nest undisturbed highlights Adelphi鈥檚 broader commitment to sustainability, particularly Goal 3 of the University鈥檚 Momentum 2 strategic plan, which emphasizes a greener, more ecologically integrated campus. In this case, the ravens found an unoccupied architectural nook and made it home, without disrupting human activity.
According to the , millions of acres of bird habitat are lost or degraded every year because of development practices. In this context, allowing the birds to remain on campus is not only harmless but meaningful, offering a moment of connection to the natural world in an otherwise structured space.
In addition, Dr. Caro said that Adelphi has a thriving bird ecosystem, with more than 100 bird species confirmed on campus鈥攅vidence that the University鈥檚 efforts to foster wildlife-friendly environments are having a tangible impact.
Campus as a Living Classroom
The ravens nesting above Levermore鈥檚 entrance have become a point of interest and conversation among students.
Jocelyn Herrera, a senior psychology major, first noticed the birds during her early morning lectures and was struck by the activity just above her head. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e hard to miss, and it鈥檚 been interesting to learn how much is going on right on campus,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou talk about sustainability in theory, but this feels like a real example of how our space and nature can overlap in such a cool way.鈥�
Dr. Caro encourages this kind of attention. She often tells students that if they spend even half an hour walking around campus slowly, they鈥檒l begin to notice patterns in the landscape, including the wildlife that blend into the background.
A Small Moment With a Larger Meaning
Though the ravens will eventually move on, their presence has offered something lasting: a quiet demonstration of how even unexpected wildlife can coexist with human activity. It鈥檚 a reminder that sustainability is not always about large-scale infrastructure鈥攊t can also come from allowing space for nature to persist.
天美传媒鈥檚 decision to allow the nest to remain in place speaks to the University鈥檚 values: supporting biodiversity, respecting natural behaviors, and embracing the organic character of its green campus.
So next time you walk by Levermore Hall, take a moment to look up and admire Adelphi’s ravens. Research proves they are intelligent enough to recognize human faces鈥攁nd they just might remember yours.