Corvids/birds in general

[Ilovecashews]

This might be a bit too niche, but I want to make a very unfortunate boy really happy this Christmas, so I would appreciate your help. We are based in London. He is my nephew. He is 12 and really didn't have an easy 2024.

He loves birds but in particular corvids. I do not actually know what I am looking for, but has anyone been to places that teach/show/let you get to know birds in general and corvids in particular? I am not thinking zoos or dodgy situations where the birds are mistreated, more like events where one can get close to the birds. Also, if you have tv episodes or books to suggest I'd appreciate that, but I would want to take him out of the home for as long as possible with one/more such events than give him a book and leave him on his own to read.

Thanks a lot!

Corvus: A Life with Birds

https://www.worldofbooks.com/en-gb/products/corvus-book-esther-woolfson-9781783784486?sku=GOR009306148&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA88a5BhDPARIsAFj595jJpdzW2xKprKZhRfcNZ8gxGubXj70LFgpVwkx6FfrGOfegDN3Y4UUaApZbEALw_wcB

He might like a book called 'A Shadow Above: the Fall and Rise of the Raven by Joe Shute.

I think corvids are great too. I have a pair of magpies and a pair of crows that regularly visit my garden. They are so timid though!

https://thejcb.co.uk/product/a-shadow-above-the-fall-and-rise-of-the-raven-paperback-joe-shute-author/

Oh wow, I woke up to this! Thank you so much! I thought it was going to be a ‘failed present’ but now I’m very confident it will be great!

We have a park nearby and we will go spot them, but I wanted something a bit more special given what he's been through. You delivered it with a ribbon as well!

And I’ll also recommend the Merlin app for bird spotting.

Tiggywinkles in Buckinghamshire has a visitor centre (it’s small, but lovely). They have all the corvids.

there is a corvid rescue in Reading that occasionally do incredible talks on them.
corviddawn.com

British wildlife centre is great for everything wildlife.

there’s a garden centre in Reading that has a bird centre there. They do experiences and the staff really flexible on requests. So might be worth a call to see if they have any corvids and anything workable
https://feathersandfur.co.uk

Right, I have taken notes of everything said here, this boy will not know what's hit him! Thank you so much, I think we will have a full diary come December. I have also sent him a few of the comments on how smart/funny/naughty corvids are so I am sure he will laugh quite a lot after school. Thank you all.

Ravens at Tower of London? X