Since the beginning of time the raven has been seen as a bird surrounded by mysticism and omens. And it has always been intriguing to man. Ancient history seems to thrive on this intelligent, black creature. During the great flood described in the Christian Bible, Noah sent out a raven in order to discover dry land, and in the Nordic mythology the god Odin kept two ravens to patrol the land and bring him news. Later on mankind looked upon the raven as a more sinister and ominous creature. It is often connected with the forces of darkness in both in and films.
When Carl Barks invented his evil lady character Magica de Spell he probably felt that she should have some kind of assistant, and he settled for the raven. That particular creature would fill both roles mentioned above - being a messenger and being ominous.

THE ACTIVE
Barks only drew two stories in which Magica has a raven called Ratface. In both stories Ratface plays a minor role. But we can see that the talking bird is highly intelligent because it is capable of making decisions.
U$45 Isle of the Golden Geese	U$48 The Many Faces of Magica de Spell

THE PASSIVE
In four other stories Magica's ravens have no other role other than just being seen as part of the background. Notice that these ravens all seem to look slightly different - suggesting that they are continuously replaced. They remain nameless in the stories.
U$36 The Midas Touch	U$38 The Unsafe Safe	U$40 Oddball Odyssey	U$43 For Old Dime's Sake

THE AMERICAN

It is highly likely that Magica's ravens come from Italy where she has her home on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. But in one story she is assisted in stealing Scrooge's Number One Dime by the nephews' pet raven Randolph. This bird is surely of an American breed.

WDCS265 Raven Mad

EXTRA

In U$56 Mystery of the Ghost Town Railroad Barks used a multitude of ravens. They were essential to form part of the plot in which they acted as menacing birds and also played a role dressed up as ghosts.