In the Noah’s Ark story, Noah first released a raven after the floodwaters began receding.
Genesis 8:7 says Noah sent out a raven. The bird went back and forth until the waters had dried from the earth. Noah then sent out a dove to investigate whether the surface had become suitable for leaving the ark.
The raven is often overlooked because the dove receives the more memorable follow-up scenes. The dove first returned because it found no place to rest, then returned with a freshly plucked olive leaf, and finally did not return after a later release.
The olive leaf therefore belongs to the dove episode, not the raven episode. This sequence is also why “Noah’s dove” is a familiar symbol of peace and renewed life, while the initial raven receives much less attention in popular retellings.