Crow friends

watchful, curious

soar, hop, caw for a peanut

backyard feathered friends

We have a family of crows in our neighborhood -five of them, which I suppose is a true “murder” of crows. They talk to us, make their way around to different houses, keeping an eye on their world. They are getting to know me, and I am getting to know them. They occasionally get a peanut from me, and they are quick to find me if I’m out walking, knowing this peanut fact. They are smart.

Yesterday evening I left a few peanuts in the backyard, and they showed up a few minutes later. They were caw-caw-cawing, delighted at the treat. After a careful assessment of me, as I stood on the back deck, they converged on the peanuts. Hopping, investigating, assessing. Some of them would take a peanut in one foot, hold it against a hard surface (paving stone or backyard chair) and peck peck into the shell to extract the nut. I noticed one crow taking a peanut to a big dish of water in the yard and soaking it for a few minutes. This, I assume, is to soften the shell so it’s easier to get through it. Smart.

If there is only one crow around, I notice they it will enjoy a peanut in silence, because any noises will attract the siblings, and the competition will commence. Smart indeed.

It’s a well known fact that Corvids (crows, ravens, jays, and their relatives) are among the most intelligent of all the birds. A lot has been written about this, but the book “In the company of Crows and Ravens” is highly recommended (it has lovely art in addition to the natural history writing being very good). Watching the neighborhood crows really confirmed this for me. I simply adore making friends with this family and I am learning a lot from them.

Once again, the avian world delights.

© Christopher M Buddle 2024