One of the most dramatic stories in the Old Testament is Elijah's standoff with the evil king Ahab. As the two opponents spar verbally, Elijah is well aware that his life could be forfeit if the king gets him into a vulnerable position. But he is even more conscious of God's continuing care for him. And when things get a little intense with Ahab, he is inspired by God to go into the wilderness, where he is promised that ravens will feed him. See I Kings 17:1–7.
Are these supernatural ravens? Not necessarily. The Bible says that the ravens brought him "bread and flesh" in the morning and in the evening. It's hard to say what the "bread" might have been, but ravens are skilled predators and would have been well able to bring Elijah suitable food to sustain him. Highly intelligent birds, ravens are well known for their alertness, teamwork, and acrobatic flying skills.
Many other birds are mentioned in the Bible—some in a positive sense and others, negatively. But all of these comments reflect a consciousness of creation that is common to the Biblical writers' outlook on their world
