Crows: A Misunderstood Bird

Often associated with bad omen and also the world of the occult, crows have been met with fear and resentment from humans. However, contrary to what people usually associate them with, crows are highly intelligent creatures that are known for adapting skillfully to their surroundings. They can mimic various sounds and have a highly specialized language for communication. The crow is found almost all over the world, with the exception of some off-shore islands and very cold regions.
Crows are very social and live in family groups of between 2 to 15 birds, averaging 4 birds. A group of crows is called a “murder”. Pecking orders are evident as in all animals. Crows are territorial and are avid defenders of the same. They operate from central positions called roosts where they gather just before dark after returning from feeding on normal flight paths called flyways. Why they roost together is not, conclusively, known but it is thought for communal protection from predators. Winter roosts are communal and hold the largest numbers. When roosts are located in towns they cause many problems especially when there are thousands of birds. Towns have fought them with firecrackers, propane cannons, repellants, and, sometimes, chain saws.
Crows, both male and female, have entirely black plumage, bills, legs, feet, and claws. The body plumage and wings have a violet iridescence in strong light. Full albinism is rare with white wing feathers occurring more frequently. The bodyweight averages about a pound with a body length from 15’’ to 21’ and a wingspan up to 36”. Flight speed is about 30 mph with short bursts attaining 60 mph. Their eyesight is similar to a wild turkey…just make a move and see what happens. Their hearing is superb. All the species in this family are very bold and aggressive. In the wild, crows live 6 to 7 years. In captivity, they reach 20 years with the oldest recorded at 30 years
Their voice is not the melodic trill of most songbirds but variations of a coarse, loud cawwww. Crows have an extensive repertoire and can communicate a surprising number of messages to fellow crows including alarm, feeding, rally, come back and fight calls. They also have a series of courtship calls.
Crows generally nest once per year. In the southern U.S., it is reported that sometimes they nest twice per year. Nest building usually commences in late March and takes about 5 days. They are usually placed moderately high (70’ to 100’) in deciduous and coniferous trees. The nests are cup-shaped and constructed of twigs and bark and lined with grass, leaves, hair, feathers, etc. An average of 5 eggs is laid in late April to early May and hatch in about 20 days. The eggs are 1.6” and are bluish-green with brown markings. The young (average nest success is 3) remain in the nest for about a month and are fed even longer.
The intelligence of Crows:
The crow is probably the most intelligent bird on this continent and is well known for its ability to detect trouble. Crows quickly learn that a moving car is no danger, but will rapidly flee if the driver stops and gets out. In areas where they are constantly hunted, they learn the difference between a hunter with a gun and a farmer with farming implements. This degree of wariness is enhanced as the year progresses due to constant persecution by man. Crows use a system of guards that observe and sound warnings to all other crows in the area. These sentinels guard fields of feeding crows. They also send scouts in advance of feeding forays to check for danger.
The crow is a bird sleek black in color with inquisitive eyes, a loping gait, and an intelligence level that far outreaches that of their lighter-colored winged brethren. The crow has long been recognized for its intelligence in outwitting humans who try to ban its access to acquiring an easy meal. But lately, it is the crow's ability to make and to use tools that have been acquiring this bird a great deal of attention and scientific study. One of the defining characteristics of being human is the ability to make and use tools. Two other creatures share the second-place spot for their capabilities in this same talent and these creatures are the chimpanzee and the Crow. Crows are intelligent enough to actually have accomplished one of the abilities which defines being classed as a human being. Crows have the ability to make and use tools. Always watching and learning the intelligent Crow can and will mimic certain calls of other birds, animals, and even humans. The crow is a very intelligent bird and should be appreciated for his natural wit and amazing ability to learn. Studies have shown that crows will examine different tool options given to them, and will not only choose a tool that is of the correct length or width for the assigned task, but they will also design a tool of the correct design and dimension if it is necessary for them to do so. Crows will use sticks to acquire bugs or other elusive food from small cracks or crevices, and they will even whittle sticks to make them thinner if this is the type of tool needed for the job. Crows have even successfully bent a piece of wire into a hook when it was required to retrieve the food which they were attempting to acquire.

Crows are very family orientated. The eggs will incubate for about 16 to 18 days before hatching. Crow chicks are born naked, and defenseless, with just a few sparse tufts of feathers on their body. Both parents as well as any older offspring will work toward building a family nest and caring for the young.
Always watching and learning the intelligent Crow can and will mimic certain calls of other birds, animals, and even humans. The crow is a very intelligent bird and should be appreciated for his natural wit and amazing ability to learn.
When it comes to acquiring a meal the crow has devised amazing means of safely taking advantage of foods sources that are available to them. Crows have learned to drop hard-shelled nuts onto sidewalks or road pavement to crack them, and if this isn't successful, then this intelligent blackbird aims the nut directly into a direct line of traffic so a passing vehicle will crack the nut for them. In addition to this, the crows have learned to watch changing traffic lights and pedestrian crossing signals for safe time periods in which to retrieve their meal without the danger of being run over by passing vehicles. Crows memorize garbage routes and will show up on garbage delivery day. Crows are a bird that understands and remember time periods that will enable them to acquire the freshest meals. There is even some evidence that crows have the ability to recognize the concept of numbers. Rumor has it that when a certain number of hunters are pursuing them, they will wait for all of the hunters to leave the area before they come out from hiding. Thus to assume that the Crow is a stupid, ugly bird and a nuisance is wrong….the intelligence of a Crow is something to be seen and experienced, and just watching them can be both entertaining and educative.