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The Crow Continues to Astound Us

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The Crow Continues to Astound UsAnyone who’s spent time on Facebook has probably seen crow videos that claim these incredible birds are smarter than fifth grade children, but is that even a fair comparison? After all, humans and birds have different needs. We require different skills to survive, thrive, and advance in life.

Can we really create a parallel between our world and theirs? Let’s dig deep and find out.

In case it’s not obvious by now, I am fascinated by crows. In fact, my spirit animal is a crow. Which, if you’re unfamiliar with the term, means this: in certain spiritual traditions or cultures, a spirit animal refers to a spirit which helps guide or protect a person throughout their journey in life and whose characteristics said person shares or embodies.

It’s also a metaphor for an animal who a person relates to or admires. Most often, your spirit animal chooses you, not the other way around.

Some researchers devote their entire careers to studying crows and ravens, and the results of these studies continue to astound us. Crows and ravens are not only the most intelligent species in the bird world, they’ve gained their rightful place in the “smartest animals in the world” category.

Birdbrain is No Longer an Insult

For years, scientists misunderstood the avian brain and wrongly assumed they were stupid due to the mere size of their brains. It wasn’t until 2005 that new research revealed birds’ brains possess neural structures called the pallium that resemble mammals’ neocortex, as well as other areas associated with sophisticated thinking.

The difference between our brains and birds lies within the design. Mammals’ brains are layered like club sandwiches, while birds’ brains are arranged more like pizza. All the pieces are there, only they’re not stacked. More recently, researchers have also discovered the wiring that underlies long-term memory and decision-making is very similar in avian and mammalian brains. The crow brain is huge compared to their body, and they don’t waste a morsel of it.

A Crow Can Hold a Grudge

The Crow Continues to Astound UsLong-time readers of this blog might remember my 2017 post, Crows Never Forget a Face. In a nutshell, Washington State University researchers donned caveman latex masks while capturing and banding seven crows. After they released the birds, the crows “scolded” the mask-wearers with distinct screeching calls, even dive-bombed their heads.

Every time the researchers wore the masks around campus, more and more crows joined the angry mob, not just the seven that were captured. To prove the crows weren’t just opposed to latex, they asked several other people to wear masks. Sure enough, the crows only scolded the caveman. Crows had memorized the facial features and marked the caveman as a “dangerous face.”

Over time, more and more crows mobbed the scientist in the caveman mask. Most weren’t even born at the time the experiment took place, so it’s impossible for them to have witnessed the capturing and banding. What did this prove? Not only had the original seven taken mental snapshots of the dangerous face, they told others about him. Generation after generation learned the story of what this caveman did and the elders encouraged their young to mob him on sight.

Two weeks after trapping, around 26% of crows scolded the caveman. About 15 months later, that figure rose to 30.4%. Three years later, with no other trapping since the experiment, the number of scolding crows grew to 66%, and now at five years, the percentage continues to multiply.

The takeaway here is to never harm a crow, or your face could be the next one added to the Crow’s Most Wanted list. Even if you happen upon a dead crow in the street, do not touch it. Your good intentions could be misconstrued by the crow watching you from a nearby tree.

Crows Investigate Crime Scenes

When a crow dies, other crows gather around the body, squawking and carrying on ad nauseam. Up until 2015 we related this behavior to a crow funeral. They are mourning, that’s true, but they’re also investigating what caused the dead crow’s death. If you watch closely, you’ll notice some of the crows interacting with the body. That’s how they process the crime scene, much in the same way we do, by learning how and why the crow died. This information is then passed on to the rest of their community.

Then they adapt.

For example, Chatham, Ontario lies beneath a crow migration route (not all crows migrate, btw; mine don’t). For years crows plagued the town as they passed through. Every attempt to stop them failed, including shooting at them with pellet guns. The crows learned how to fly just high enough to evade the fire.

Crows Can Solve Complex, Multi-Step Puzzles

A BBC program entitled Inside the Animal Mind conducted an experiment for the show. Scientists captured crows from the wild and gave them the most complex animal puzzle ever invented. Think the crows succeeded? See for yourself …

A Crow Knows How to Exercise Self-Control

Unlike many animals, crows aren’t driven purely by instinct alone. Instead, they exercise self-control if they’ll gain a greater reward by waiting. A 2014 study based on the Stanford marshmallow experiment of the 1960’s, which measured delayed gratification in children, showed crows waited for better quality food rather than gorging on a larger quantity of the same food i.e. meat in exchange for a grape. In some cases, the crows waited up to 10 minutes for a tastier snack. This proved the crows were waiting because they wanted to, rather than being driven by hunger.

Crow Court Is Now In Session

The Crow Continues to Astound Us

Crow court is not a fun place to be. I’m hesitant to show the video because it’s ruthless, brutal, and heartbreaking to watch. If you’re interested, you can find it here, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Crow court boils down to manners and respect. Any bird who double-crosses a crow will be the next defendant in crow court. If an intruder crow flies into another crow’s territory and refuses to leave, or if a member of the murder double-crosses his or her family members, s/he will be summoned to crow court. And they may end up paying the ultimate price—death.

 

Urban Crows Take Advantage of Traffic

Need to crack an especially hard nut? No problem. Just drop it on a busy street. Not only have crows figured out that we use crosswalks to safely cross the street, they’re smart enough to wait for the traffic light to turn red.

A Crow Can Show Love, Kindness, and Appreciation

I’ve witnessed Poe and Edgar smooching in their tree, preening family members’ feathers, and nuzzling against one another. It’s a beautiful sight. Their love and appreciation extends to humans, as well. Stories flooded the news when one particular crow brought a young girl gifts, other stories include a crow named Babyface who showered a woman with shiny objects and toys.

Crows watch and learn what you like. In the case of Babyface, the woman acted overjoyed when Babyface dropped a rubber squid at her feet. “Look, a toy!” She danced with delight. From that day forward, Babyface knew what to bring.

Poe brings me feathers. I adore feathers, and I’m sure she figured that out by my reaction the first time she left one. Little does she know, some of the feathers she brings are illegal to possess without a permit (like hawk tail-feathers). Or maybe she does know. Nothing would surprise me when it comes to a crow’s brilliance.

I could write another ten pages of facts about crows. The longer I write the Mayhem Series the more I research these incredible birds, and the more enamored I become. Even though some readers may assume my crow characters’ antics are fictionalized, everything they do is steeped in truth. I don’t have to make it up. All I need to do is pay attention.

Sue Coletta is an award-winning crime writer and an active member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. Feedspot and Expertido.org named her Murder Blog as “Best 100 Crime Blogs on the Net.” She also blogs on the Kill Zone (Writer's Digest "101 Best Websites for Writers"), Writers Helping Writers, and StoryEmpire. Sue lives with her husband in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Her backlist includes psychological thrillers, the Mayhem Series (books 1-3) and Grafton County Series, and true crime/narrative nonfiction. Now, she exclusively writes eco-thrillers, Mayhem Series (books 4-9 and continuing). Sue's appeared on the Emmy award-winning true crime series, Storm of Suspicion, and three episodes of A Time to Kill on Investigation Discovery. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her murder of crows, who live free but come when called by name. And nature feeds her soul.

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41 Comments

  • Julie Holmes, author

    April 18, 2019 at 9:05 PM

    Great post, Sue! Reminds me of a NOVA or National Geographic show about crows–well, it might have been about how smart birds are–but they did some experiments with crows that were amazing, showing just how much ingenuity they have. And they also showed the mask experiment. Very fascinating!

  • MJ Payne

    April 15, 2019 at 3:24 PM

    I enjoy your posts as they are always unusual. I do think birds are often very beautiful, but the idea of them holding grudges brings to mind the bombing of the car……hate to bring that up. I wonder if they hate cars. I took a test on my spirit animal. Result? Water turtle. 🙂 Sort of snail like I guess.
    MJ Payne recently posted…Inspiration! Or, Do You Believe in . . . Ghosts?My Profile

    • Sue Coletta

      April 15, 2019 at 4:26 PM

      I think birds are leery of cars for good reason, but hate them? I doubt it. Crows have even been known to hitch a ride or two. The videos are so adorable!!

      Those spirit animal tests are fun, but they’re only for entertainment.

      That said, turtles are associated with healing, wisdom, protection, fertility, longevity, and spirituality. Turtles are also the peace-makers. When a turtle spirit appears to you, the message is to remain determined yet serene. The turtle alerts you to slow down and take time to examine your surroundings and find a path of peace, be it for the mind, environment, or life in general. It also reminds you to stay grounded, especially when you’re upset or life becomes unsettling.
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    • Sue Coletta

      April 15, 2019 at 6:44 AM

      Isn’t it? I loved the video, too, Mick. We’ve only just begun to learn the full extent of a crow’s abilities. I didn’t even touch on their tool-making skills or their communication. They use 37 distinct calls and assign one new call for each kind soul who feeds them. That special call is only used for that one specific person, like a name. Amazing!
      Sue Coletta recently posted…The Crow Continues to Astound UsMy Profile

    • Sue Coletta

      April 15, 2019 at 6:31 AM

      Funny you should mention that, Rebecca. I’m writing a guest post today on spirit animals. I’ll send you the link when it goes live. For me, the very first time I met Poe I felt an instant deep connection with her, like I understood her on a spiritual level. Everywhere I go, crows follow. I’ve even been in another state and look up to find a crow sitting right above me. They must sense my inherent trust and respect for their kind. It used to freak out my husband, but now he just laughs and says, “My wife, the Crow Whisperer.” 😂
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      • Rebecca Vance

        April 16, 2019 at 1:44 AM

        Thanks, Sue. I look forward to reading it. I suspect that my spirit animal is one of the large cats. When I was very young, I guess around 4 years old, I made a friend of a wild cat. I think it may have been a bobcat but I’m not sure. He actually came stood and watched me for a couple of weeks and then one day he just came down from the hill where he was and came right up to me! He allowed me to pet him and I remember how loud and deep that purr was. When he licked my hand, my mother came to the door and lost it. She went completely pale and chased him away. He never came down from the hill again but I saw him after that like he was watching out for me.
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  • Mae Clair

    April 14, 2019 at 7:11 PM

    I’ve long held a fascination with corvine birds (especially ravens) and have employed that love into a few novels—only one which has seen the light of day in the publishing world.

    This was such an intriguing post. I love how you’ve incorporated crows into your Mayhems series. Your exceptional respect and love for them shines through. I just finished an ARC of the amazing Silent Mayhem and hope to have a review ready in the next day or two. The attention you gave your crows in this book made me bond with them every bit as much MC and other supporting characters.

    • Sue Coletta

      April 15, 2019 at 6:08 AM

      Aww, thank you, Mae. ❤ We have one raven who’s visited us for the last few years. I named him Odin after the Greek God who sent two ravens to earth to whisper the world’s secrets. Anyway, every morning Odin would fly to our deck perch and before taking his treat and would call for us till we came to the glass door; his way of saying a quick “Thank you!”

      Poe makes him leave from March – May while she’s caring for her chicks (ravens would eat them), but once the babies are old enough, they’re buddies again. I’ve read that crows and ravens don’t get along, but mine pal around with Odin. His size comes in handy. 😂 Oh, and this year, Odin brought his offspring! I named her Olivia, even though I have no idea if she’s female. The name fit her for some reason.
      Sue Coletta recently posted…The Crow Continues to Astound UsMy Profile

  • Carolyn McBride

    April 14, 2019 at 4:14 PM

    Fascinating! We have a white crow in our patch of wilderness, not an albino someone has photographed it and it has dark eyes. It migrated for the winter and I’ve been vigilant as the others come back, hoping to spot him…her…again.
    Carolyn McBride recently posted…Star TrailsMy Profile

  • Roland R Clarke

    April 14, 2019 at 3:29 PM

    I’ve known for a few years how clever crows and their corvid cousins are, but your post has expanded that knowledge. Saving this as an invaluable research resource.

    I introduced a jackdaw into my Welsh WIP detective series early on, in part as we had jackdaws in our Welsh garden (and crows and rooks in the surrounding area). He interacts with the heroine detective in some key ways, from finding objects to flying interference. She and her wife call him Negesydd – Welsh for ‘messenger’, although his role is as much ‘trickster’.
    Roland R Clarke recently posted…L for Lethality – Azure Spark. Part 12My Profile

  • Book Club Mom

    April 14, 2019 at 3:24 PM

    This is fascinating, Sue. I knew none of this about crows. I’ve always thought of them as simply aggressive birds in the back yard. I’m going to keep an eye out and maybe I can see some of these characteristics on display. Thanks so much for sharing this!

    • Sue Coletta

      April 14, 2019 at 3:46 PM

      Yay!!! Crows have such a bad reputation due to the media and Hollywood. In truth, they’re just incredible birds. Part of why I include crows in the Mayhem Series is to change people’s perception. Have fun with your crows!!! They adore peanuts in the shell, if you want to lure them closer. 😉
      Sue Coletta recently posted…The Crow Continues to Astound UsMy Profile

  • Debbie Burke

    April 14, 2019 at 11:27 AM

    Wow, Sue, you come up with the most fascinating information. Thanks for sharing this.

    While I admire the intellect of crows, I still have a hard time warming up to them after they killed one of *my* baby robins that fell out of a nest in my porch eaves. The robin parents and I tried to save the baby but couldn’t. Would the crows have used the carcass for food? At least that would be understandable.

    The crows and I play a constant game of keep-away as they try to steal nuts I put out for squirrels and I try to chase them away. Mostly ends in a draw!

    • Sue Coletta

      April 14, 2019 at 11:56 AM

      Thanks, Debbie! Yes. They planned on eating that baby robin, but probably dropped it by mistake. Food must be scarce where you live, because mostly they’re scavengers. My crows eat beside chipmunks, squirrels, jays, woodpeckers, turkeys, ravens, and numerous small birds, and I’ve never once had a problem with fighting. ‘Course, I keep everyone well-fed.

      Crows can’t resist peanuts. As long as you’re putting them out, they’ll keep coming back. Especially since it’s now a game to them. They love to have fun, and making “the lady” chase them is probably hilarious to them. You won’t win, so you might as well feed the crows too. Trust me, you will grow to love these birds. Not only are they fun to watch but they’ll keep predators away from your yard, so your robins don’t end up in a hawk’s belly. All the animals in my yard pay close attention to the crows. They’re the ones who tell them when to run and hide.
      Sue Coletta recently posted…The Crow Continues to Astound UsMy Profile

  • Garry Rodgers

    April 14, 2019 at 10:46 AM

    Fascinating, Sue. That was an amazing video about the puzzle solving. We have a resident murder of about 80-100 members. They have a routine where they assemble in the park on our street at 10 am and 3 pm – you can set your watch by these guys – and go through a ritual like roll-calling. I have no idea what they’re up to but it seems like mandatory attendance. Do you have any suggestions as to what’s going on here?
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    • Sue Coletta

      April 14, 2019 at 11:30 AM

      It absolutely could be a roll call of sorts before they split off to forage in smaller numbers. Then again In the afternoon to check on their wellbeing. In your area, crows seem to roost at night in large numbers. Around here, in the country setting, one small family controls several acres of territory. My murder is finally 9 strong. It started as just one mating couple who patrolled the area.
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  • Michael Helms

    April 14, 2019 at 10:44 AM

    Absolutely amazing birds! I always knew that crows (and ravens) were “smart” as far a birds go, but this post widens my knowledge ten-fold. Thanks so much for sharing.
    Incidentally, my spirit animal has changed over the years. At first it was the coyote, because my garage band (back in the sixties) sounded much like a howling pack of those critters. Lately I’ve become aware that the lowly snail is my new spirit animal, for reasons you can well guess. 🙂
    Michael Helms recently posted…Deadly Spirits has Launched!My Profile

    • Sue Coletta

      April 14, 2019 at 11:35 AM

      Hahahahahaha. I’m sure you’ve still got a howling coyote inside you, Michael. 😀

      My pleasure. Here’s a interesting fact about ravens. In order to adapt to the changing times, ravens are evolving in reverse. Meaning, the sub-species that split off of ravens years ago are now merging back together to create one stronger raven.
      Sue Coletta recently posted…The Crow Continues to Astound UsMy Profile

  • Margot Kinberg

    April 14, 2019 at 10:22 AM

    This is absolutely fascinating, Sue! I know from my own experience with crows that they are smart and observant (‘though I didn’t know all of this other interesting background!). More than once, when I’ve been walking my dogs, I’ve seen a couple of crows in a tree that we pass, yelling at us to get off their territory. Once we pass without bothering them, they quiet right down again.

    • Sue Coletta

      April 14, 2019 at 11:39 AM

      They learn and adapt, which makes them even more brilliant in my book. If you continue to walk by their tree, over time they should get quieter and quieter. Unless it’s the dogs that they object to. When I moved my office into the loft for the winter, it took Poe about a day to figure out which window I now occupied. And sure enough, if food isn’t out by 8 a.m. sharp, she’ll fly straight to that window. “Excuse me, do you know you’re late or …?” So smart!!!
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