Life of a Crow

Life of a Crow

Written by: Paige Leal

The Crow is a very familiar bird to most people, one of the first types that may pop into someone’s head when asked to name a bird. They are easy to recognize with their completely black feathers and loud “caw, caw” calls. But behind their simple appearance is a surprisingly intelligent animal. American crows can recognize human faces and even remember people they have had bad experiences with. In one study, researchers discovered that crows remembered the faces of people who had captured them. Even years later, the birds reacted to those same people by making warning calls. Let this be a warning that if you are ever rude to a crow, it may remember you.

Diet

Crows are not picky eaters. They are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their menu can include insects, worms, frogs, mice, eggs, nuts, seeds, fruits, and even leftovers from garbage cans. Basically, if it is edible, a crow might give it a try. Their intelligence also helps them find food in creative ways. Some crows have learned to drop hard nuts onto roads or other hard surfaces to crack them open. Others have been seen working together to get food from animals. They are constantly trying new things out of the ordinary to get food.

Family Matters

Unlike some birds that spend most of their time alone, crows are very social. They often live in family groups made up of parents and their young. Interestingly, some young crows stay with their parents for a few years, helping protect the nest and care for younger siblings. When it is time to rest, crows can gather in huge groups, sometimes numbering in the thousands. These nighttime gatherings are called roosts. Living together also helps them protect one another. If a predator comes nearby, crows may call loudly to warn the others and chase the threat away.

Bird Brain

Crows are more than just birds looking for their next snack. They can solve problems, remember important information, and learn from watching other crows. Some people use “bird brains" as an insult, but actually crows are very intelligent. They have even been observed using objects as tools to reach food. Their ability to adapt helps them live in many different places, including forests, farms, parks, and busy neighborhoods. The next time you see a crow sitting on a streetlight or searching through the grass, remember there is a lot more going on in its little bird brain than you might think. And maybe it is remembering your face, too!