Aloof Yet Present – The American Crow

Image: AI-Generated; Prompt/edited: Tom Myrick; Photos by: Tom Myrick -The American Crow-

Aloof yet present, the crow whispers secrets to the wind. And we listen, for in its dark eyes, we glimpse the wisdom of ages.

Over the last year, we have befriended this crow at the Veggie-Bed. Though a little camera shy, it does hang out when we are out in the garden. All crows and ravens belong to the same genus called Corvus. These intelligent birds can be found everywhere except Antarctica and South America.

Crows are deeply embedded in human culture and myth, symbolizing death and rebirth. Despite their sometimes ominous reputation, they exhibit remarkable intelligence and social behaviors.

American Crows are incredibly smart. Their intelligence is considered on par with chimpanzees. They exhibit tool use, such as dipping a cup in water to moisten dry food or using a splinter of wood from a fence to spear prey in a hole. Crows can solve puzzles and exhibit mental capacities comparable to a seven-year-old child.

Crows are not just intelligent; they are also profoundly social creatures. They are monogamous, forming lifelong bonds with their chosen partners. They stay together once they find their perfect match, raising their young as a team. The male and female crows share parental care, helping feed, protect, and incubate the eggs for about two months. These intelligent birds form strong bonds with their chosen mates, engaging in mutual preening and proving deep protective care toward each other.

Older crow siblings can help their parents raise newborn chicks. These social birds often live in pairs or small family groups. During winter, they gather in large communal roosts. Juvenile crows actively defend their parents’ nests from predators. They may even bring food to their parents or directly feed their younger siblings. Some young crows become regular nest assistants, aiding their parents for over half a decade.

Crows have a unique way of dealing with death. When a crow passes away, its neighbors may hold a ‘funeral ‘. A group of live crows gathers around the deceased, but they rarely touch the body. This behavior isn’t driven by scavenging; it is a survival strategy. The birds learn about threats and avoid revisiting areas where they’ve encountered dead crows, even if food is available there. This intriguing behavior showcases the complex social dynamics of these intelligent birds.

So next time you glimpse a crow perched on a wire, consider the intricate tapestry of its existence. Intelligence, love, and rituals—woven together, they form the essence of these remarkable birds.

Writer/Digital creator: Tom Myrick

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