In the Genesis account of Noah’s Ark, the first bird released that did not return was a raven.
Genesis 8 says Noah opened the Ark’s window after the waters began to recede and sent out a raven. The raven went back and forth until the waters dried from the earth. Noah then sent a dove to find out whether the surface had become habitable.
The dove’s repeated appearances make it more famous in art and popular culture, so readers sometimes remember it as the first bird. In the text, however, the raven is released first. The dove initially returns because it finds no place to rest, later returns with a freshly plucked olive leaf, and eventually does not return.
The raven and dove episode is one of the narrative’s clearest signs that Noah is testing the changing landscape rather than simply waiting for a stated announcement. It also helped establish the dove-and-olive-leaf image as a symbol of peace and renewal.