In Genesis, Noah first released a raven after the Flood waters receded.
Genesis 8:6–7 says that after forty days Noah opened the window of the Ark and sent out a raven. The text says the raven went back and forth until the waters had dried from the earth. Noah then sent a dove to see whether the water had receded from the ground, making the raven the first bird released in the sequence.
The raven and dove serve different narrative roles. The raven’s behavior is described briefly, while the dove returns because it finds nowhere to rest. Noah sends the dove again later, and it returns with a freshly plucked olive leaf. A third release does not result in the dove returning, showing that the land is becoming habitable.
A frequent mix-up places the dove first because it is the better-known symbol of peace and renewal. In the Genesis sequence, however, the raven comes first. The passage does not say that Noah released an eagle or sparrow during this test.