Not an Aesop Fable

A couple of weeks ago, we discovered two strawberries in a flower garden and an egg (like the kind you would buy in a store) on the other side of the yard, slightly under a bush. Strange? Indeed. How in the world did these items end up in our yard? We quickly ruled out our neighbours. A fox? Coyote? Perhaps. We have seen them in our residential area. Wait a minute…crows! Aha!

We have a murder on our hands. A murder of crows. I’m sure our neighbourhood is starting to get annoyed with us, and we may earn the nickname “crow whisperers” soon, but that’s okay. Crows are fascinating! Once you get past their annoying wake-up “caw caw” and learn a bit about them, you will realize that crows really do have a bad rap. Plus, if you treat them right, they will remember you and be a friend for life!

Crows are extremely intelligent, and there is research that proves they never forget a face. They can even teach other crows to recognize certain faces, particularly the faces of those humans who have been unkind to them. Check out this article!

The crow is a universal bird. There are about 45 species found just about anywhere there is grassland with nearby trees. That is why they survive so well in both rural and urban areas. On a scientific note, and this will be the only one mentioned in this blog, the crow is part of the genus Corvus. It shares this grouping with ravens and rooks, which are part of the Corvidae family. That family includes jays, magpies, and nutcrackers.

As I sit at my laptop, I can hear the crows calling out to each other. I think they are saying, “Hurry, hurry! The people at 151 have filled the dish with peanuts!” Little do they know that I have strategically placed a few peanuts around the yard to see if they notice them. Perhaps the squirrel who frequents our yard will find them first.

I spoke too soon. I just went to have a peek out the window, and sure enough, the three birds that usually journey to our yard were there having a feast—with the peanuts I had so stealthily hidden! It’s quite interesting to watch them eat. One will grab a peanut (these are unsalted in the shell peanuts), drop it on the ground, and stab it repeatedly until it cracks. Then another will hop up, grab a piece of the actual nut, and enjoy. The one who does all the work then takes a bite. Our yard is a bit of a mess now, littered with peanut shells! We have even seen them take the peanut to a metal surface and break it open there—much easier than doing so on the softer ground.

Crows usually feed on delights provided on the ground. These treats may include earthworms, insects, seeds, and fruit. They may throw in a small animal for a change or find some tasty garbage. I read somewhere that they also like dog or cat food. Yep, that’s true. They enjoyed the cup of kibble I put out for them.

There seems to be a core group of three, sometimes four, birds that hang out in our yard. We can hear them calling from a bit away, and suddenly they appear. I have no evidence to prove this, but I’m pretty sure they are the same birds. Although most types of crows are solitary, they do tend to forage in groups, and some stay in large groups called a roosting community. The common American crow, which is also the one in Canada, doesn’t breed until they are at least two years old. Usually, the young will help their parents raise their young for a few years before striking out on their own. Families may include up to 15 birds.

Experts have noticed that when a crow dies, the murder will surround the deceased. No, they aren’t in mourning. They will try to figure out what caused their buddy’s death, and then go after the predator. This is known as mobbing.

I’m quite interested in the spiritual and cultural interpretation of crows. They are often considered messengers between the human world and the spirit world. They are seen as symbols of transformation and carriers of ancient wisdom. In some cultures, crow’s feathers or body parts are used in rituals or other spiritual practices and act as a conduit for communication with the spirit world.

Some people think that if you see crows often, it means you need to do a re-boot or have a good long talk with yourself. Others think that one crow signifies death or destruction; two crows mean new beginnings and good news. Seeing three crows means good health and celebration. Personally, I think our three crows just mean they like the peanuts here. But I’ll take good health and celebration any day!

Here are some other fun facts I’d like to share:

Crows have superior memories to other birds. Similar to a dog or a squirrel, they hide their food and then get it later. Sometimes they move it two or three times, but they always remember where they hid it. Their brains are bigger than those of other birds except the parrot. Maybe the Aesop fable The Crow and the Pitcher isn’t such a fable. They even hold a grudge.
Crows don’t just make the caw-caw sound. They make a variety of sounds, including special calls for friends and relatives to signal finding food or approaching danger. Sometimes they sound like a cat up a tree.
Crows mate for life, and both males and females care for the eggs in the nest.
Crows are thieves. They will steal from other birds’ nests and take anything food-related. Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t attracted to shiny objects.
Crows have a unique flight style. It is a slow and methodical flapping that is rarely broken up with glides.
The oldest recorded wild American Crow was at least 17 years and 5 months old when it was photographed in Washington State. A captive crow in New York lived to be 59 years old.
Crows are responsible for several popular idioms. “As the crow flies” is a common direction where I live. We all know what it’s like to “get up with the crows” (I’m more familiar with getting up with the birds, but let’s not get picky). We also don’t want to “eat crows” or get “crows feet”. It is much better to have something to “crow” about!

So, the next time you notice a crow, take a minute to think about your life. Are you going through a change? Are you feeling anxious about something? Perhaps that crow is trying to send you a message. Or maybe it is just looking for peanuts!

“Nothing is unreal as long as you can imagine like a crow” ~ Munia Kha

Interesting Reads & Things

12 Fascinating Facts About Crows (mentalfloss.com)

Crow Symbolism: Spiritual Meanings Of This Bird Explained | mindbodygreen

Facts About Crows | Live Science

American Crow Overview, All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology

The Ultimate Guide To Befriend A Crow – YouTube

American Crow Calls (2024) – 3 MOST COMMON Sounds You Will Hear (youtube.com)

Crows, smarter than you think | John Marzluff | TEDxRainier (youtube.com)