Disobedient Tower of London ravens have their wings clipped

TWO “adventurous” Tower of London ravens have had their wings clipped after failing to obey commands.

The mischievous birds, Jubilee and Brandon, had begun to defy their Ravenmaster’s calls, prompting fears for their safety. The Tower usually keeps at least six ravens and, according to legend, if they ever leave then both the fortress and the kingdom will fall.

To ensure they cannot fly too far, and to protect them from the busy London traffic, Chris Skaife usually clips just one wing. But Jubilee and Branwen have now had both their wings clipped to prevent “upward and rapid flight” to the top of the White Tower, where they could not be reached.

The temporary measure was introduced when the birds began disobeying commands after being kept inside by law to protect them from last year’s bird flu outbreak.

Jubilee, who was presented to Elizabeth II to mark the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, is said to be the ringleader.

Historic Royal Palaces said: “Jubilee and Brandon are our more adventurous ravens. They have had both of their wings trimmed as a temporary measure to keep them safe now they have been released from their enclosures, following the avian flu epidemic.”

Rob Fuller, Chief Yeoman Warder, told The Mail on Sunday: “The ravens are part of the Tower community and we take our responsibility for their welfare very seriously. The majority were bred and raised at the Tower and have not lived in the wild.

“For their safety, we trim one of their wings to encourage them to stay at the Tower, where we can look after them and feed them a varied diet.”

Any bid for freedom would not be the first. In January 2021, the Tower’s “Queen” Raven, Merlina, was reported missing and feared dead.

Mr Skaife, who often showed her off on social media, sharing a bench with the inquisitive bird on his lunch break, told his followers on social media: “I know so many of you lovely folk will be saddened by this news. None more than me. Please excuse my absence for a few days.” In 2011, a raven called Muninn flew five miles to Greenwich and was eventually returned by a member of the public after seven days in the wild.

Charles II is believed to have been the first monarch to officially decree that the birds must be kept at the Tower at all times.

When numbers fell to just a single raven guard, Winston Churchill ordered that the flock – known as an “unkindness” – was increased to at least six. In 2019, it emerged that a Suffolk pub had begun a breeding programme to ensure there were enough trained ravens to replenish the group.