According to Genesis, Noah first sent a raven from the Ark to search for dry land. Genesis 8:7 says the raven went back and forth until the waters dried from the earth.
Noah then sent a dove on separate occasions. The dove initially found nowhere to rest, later returned with a freshly plucked olive leaf, and finally did not return after being released again. That sequence made the dove the better-known symbol of the Flood’s end, even though the raven was sent first.
The raven and dove serve different narrative roles. The raven’s repeated flight gives Noah information about the changing conditions, while the dove’s return provides a more recognizable sign that vegetation has reappeared. The olive leaf is therefore associated with peace and renewal in later traditions.
A common mistake is answering “dove” because it is the famous bird in the story. The wording “first” matters: Genesis explicitly places the raven before the dove.