Thread: How do you say Little Raven in Russian

if what's needed is not the color of the hair, but really a bird name, one doesn't have to use the exact translation.

Raven is probably a generic term, but usually the Russian equivalent is ворон (masculine). The literary association in Russia would be a bird found somewhere near dead bodies.

Ворона (also generic term for some similar species) is usually perceived in Russia as a stupid bird, making stupid sounds.

Воробей is a small bird, not really elegant. May make one think of assymetrical eyes.

The one I was thinking about is "галка" (jackdaw). The problem with it in Russian is that it can be understood as shortened form of Russian female name Galina (but also галка may be perceived as bird making lots of noise). At the same time, the diminutive галчонок (baby jackdaw) or галочка (little female jackdaw) may suit this situation (slightly theatrical intonation may suppess the unnecessary connotations).

PS Воронёнок (baby raven) sounds really better than ворон or ворона.