Vol. 45 // You don’t know crow about Crows 🪙

Don't forget your morning stretch. (via @william_bird)

Bird of the Week: American Crow

Photo by Tyler Quiring (Unsplash)

Found in North America

Hear Their Calls

We all likely know the look and familiar sounds of American Crows well. But not everyone knows just how intelligent and empathetic these flying friends can be. Crows can remember human faces, whether friend or foe (they use warning calls to alert each other to danger when enemies come around), and have been known to leave gifts like coins for their human friends. They also mourn their dead in groups and use tools such as rocks and sticks to reach food or water sources that are just out of reach. 

You can tell the difference between Crows and similar Ravens by Crows’ smaller size, and their telltale calls (“Caw-caw!”), often used as background noise in horror films.

Fun fact: In another smart food-finding tactic, Crows will carry hard-shelled mollusks with them in flight, then drop them on rocks to break them open and enjoy the snacks inside.

Photo by Matteo Paganelli (Unsplash)

Photo by Jevgeni Fil (Unsplash)

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With rakish eye and plenished crop,
Oblivious of the farmer's gun,
Upon the naked ash-tree top
The Crow sits basking in the sun.

An old ungodly rogue, I wot!
For, perched in black against the blue,
His feathers, torn with beak and shot,
Let woeful glints of April through.

The year's new grass, and, golden-eyed,
The daisies sparkle underneath,
And chestnut-trees on either side
Have opened every ruddy sheath.

But doubtful still of frost and snow,
The ash alone stands stark and bare,
And on its topmost twig the Crow
Takes the glad morning's sun and air.

– “The Crow” by William Canton