by Lorelei aka:Ladymermaid
Member since:
September 10, 2009

The Intelligence of Crows

September 23, 2009 02:34 PM EDT (Updated: October 10, 2009 06:09 PM EDT)
views: 75 | comments: 22

When I first started writing my crow article I really did not know a lot about these birds. I just thought that they seemed to be getting a bit of a bad rap within our civilized society and I was hoping to improve their lot a little. The more research that I did, the more respect I developed for my feathered friends, the crow is indeed a very special bird.

Sleek black in color with inquisitive dark eyes, a loping gait, and an intelligence level that far outreaches that of their lighter colored winged brethren. They are a bird well worthy of our respect and admiration. The Crow has long been recognized for its intelligence, especially for its ability to outwit humans when they try to ban its access to acquiring an easy meal. But lately it is their ability to make and to use tools that has been acquiring a great deal of attention and scientific study....The Intelligence Of Crows.
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Comments: 22

Vivian P. Sep 23, 2009, 4:05pm EDT
I love crows in fact all jays
John S. (arizona) Sep 24, 2009, 1:05pm EDT
I could always tell they were pretty smart. Thanks.
Lorelei aka:Ladymermaid Oct 15, 2009, 3:56pm EDT
Yep, I believe we should learn to understand and respect the other critters that inhabit this Earth with us. It seems that most have a real purpose to be here.
Lady of Lake Merritt =P Sep 27, 2009, 3:40pm EDT
that's pretty amazing
Lorelei aka:Ladymermaid Oct 15, 2009, 3:53pm EDT
I found it to be very surprising.
Loretta E. Sep 28, 2009, 6:22pm EDT
Sorry, I read your article, but the crows still give me the creeps!!! Just my opinion!!!
Lorelei aka:Ladymermaid Oct 15, 2009, 3:52pm EDT
Imagine them white and with the voice of a songbird....lol. Blue jays are about the same size as crows and have a very annoying voice but they are very beautiful so tend to get away with being around.
I am glad you read the article.
Loretta E. Oct 15, 2009, 8:43pm EDT
I try Lorelei, but it seems like every time a crow comes around me something has to happen, it might be my imagination, but it seem like I always hear of some bad news.
Dano C. Oct 15, 2009, 2:43pm EDT
It used to be that the crows, that chase out the songbirds, were further the east of town. I don't mind them around for a bit, but not when they dominate the yards and treetops for most of the day. Not as the Raven, Nevermore.

I do respect their right to be themselves, though.
Lorelei aka:Ladymermaid Oct 15, 2009, 3:51pm EDT
It is usually in the winter that the crows form communal groups to help them survive the lean cold winter months. During the summer they are usually found in family groupings. The kids stay with the family for two to five years, or until they find a mate, and form their own family unit.
Dano C. Oct 15, 2009, 4:08pm EDT
I caw at them loudly at times. Sometimes their loud call greets me as I step out the door and continues. I think the article you have referenced may be by the same author as I heard on public radio. He tagged the birds and said they took a dislike to him because of that and was followed other places by crows further away than would normally be the case with other birds. Lately I think they are more friendly, at least to me.
Dano C. Oct 15, 2009, 4:18pm EDT
I'm sorry, that was your own article. Yours goes into just as much detail. I think the crows have a highly developed intellect and sense of community, even though they are at times territorial. I think they have forgiven my speaking against them, as well.
Dano ...... OMG, I have been cawing too ........ sometimes at night in my bed I grow bluish black wings and a big Raven head and I try to fly out of my bed [I did it once]. I suddenly realized that those here on Gather unaccustomed to this talk are going to think I am bonkers. Oh well.
norman chambers Oct 16, 2009, 2:00am EDT
Ravens and their relations are among the most intelligent of birds. I once saw a raven soak a dog biscuit in a water puddle before eating it.-Norman
Lorelei aka:Ladymermaid Oct 15, 2009, 6:07pm EDT
Lol.......yep. They are pretty smart creatures. I didn't realize how smart till I started my article. I just felt sorry for them because crows seemed to get such a bad rap when other creatures can be just as annoying yet be forgiven their behavior. There is so much cruelty in the world that it breaks my heart.

I learned a lot when I wrote the article. I never realized previously that it was generally a family unit that I was running into rather than just a pack of crows. I hope it changes a few attitudes toward them.
Oh lady Mermaid! Aren'y you a marvelous creature! Thanks to Dano, I have found you. I am Lady Raven Spirit. I sort of change names a lot her. This name however was given to me by my dear friend Shadow Wolf. And it has stuck. I have written on the crow here............I take everything down after a while. Know Bernard Heind ...... crow man from NH. I hope I have that name right as I have used his research. You know of course that crows and wolves are now automatically studied together pretty much whenever wolves are studied? This is because they are always found together. I am going to make a connection request. Like your work on Squiddo!
Lorelei aka:Ladymermaid Oct 15, 2009, 8:18pm EDT
I did not know the connection of crows with wolves. I will be very happy to be friends with you.
Kimber L. Oct 19, 2009, 12:42pm EDT
Interesting article!!
Dorothy H. Oct 24, 2009, 10:03pm EDT
I've always had a fondness of crows.
Mugg Muggles, "The Man With the Jive" Nov 5, 2009, 7:10pm EST
Lately I have been feeding a group of crows down at the Waterfront Park.
They recognize my car when I'm there. I sometimes nap in my car and before I do I will put some peanuts on the roof and hood.
I've been trying for the last few days to get a picture of this one crow who hops up onto my hood and caws for me to feed him.
I tried to photograph a Raven the other day and he would leave as soon as I had my camera out and ready. When I put the camera away, he would return.
We did this little song and dance for about 20 minutes before I gave up.
Lorelei aka:Ladymermaid Nov 5, 2009, 8:51pm EST
Lol .......... they are wise. He's not going to let you shoot him with anything. I am glad that you have a kindness for creatures of all types :)
Mugg Muggles, "The Man With the Jive" Nov 5, 2009, 9:24pm EST
I'm really having fun getting to know these crows.
They sometimes have to compete with squirrels for my peanuts.
Here'sa photo essay from a couple weeks ago. Here's another with squirrels AND crows.
I've got some more pix in my camera that I'm gonna post soon.
*CAW* *CAW* *CAW*

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