In Genesis, Noah first released a raven from the Ark to test whether the Flood waters had receded.
Genesis 8 says Noah opened the window of the Ark and sent out a raven. The raven went back and forth until the waters dried from the earth. Noah then sent out a dove, which initially found no place to rest and returned to him.
The dove was sent again seven days later and returned with a freshly plucked olive leaf. After another seven days, Noah sent it out once more, and it did not return. This sequence made the dove and olive leaf enduring symbols of peace, hope, and the end of catastrophe.
A common mix-up is to remember only the dove because later retellings and artwork emphasize it. The Genesis order is clear: the raven comes first, followed by the dove. The text does not say that Noah released an eagle or swan.