Just Regular Crow Stuff

Just some regular crow stuff today. Crows are very social critters. When they are not hunting for food-which they do as individuals or in pairs- you will see them in a tree with a bunch of their peers. They all seem to be jabbering at once. And they not only communicate among themselves, but want to socialize and talk with friendly humans. If Pat goes out to talk with them, they can see that she doesn’t have any food, but they get excited just the same. They will start rocking back and forth and talking fast. If they are on the driveway, they begin prancing and are so excited they can’t wait to talk. Pat starts off with them just as she would with any “visitor.” “How are you this morning?” She would give the crows a chance to respond and then say something like, “How do you like this weather?” They all go back and forth for a while just as anyone would. It’s fun to listen to because it sounds like any conversation you might be eavesdropping on. The crows have stories to tell and seem thankful that their friend is willing to listen.

Another thing that seems odd is that the crows have accepted Pat and Terri, and in their cases, have lost their fear of humans. One day, a friend tried to feed them, and they didn’t trust her at all.  The five crows flew to the nearest tree and stayed there. They wanted nothing to do with this stranger.

The crows followed Terri down the street to our house again. They spotted her car as she came around the corner and stayed with her until she pulled into the driveway and then went to the liquid amber tree. This is the third time they’ve done this.

If Pat is not outside when the crows arrive, they will do flybys in front of the living room window. They will make three or four passes to be sure that Pat has seen them arrive.

We may be feeding some baby crows, too. Sometimes when Pat is feeding them, two of the crows will get food in their mouths and fly away, and they will return in a few minutes. They must be the same two birds returning because they are accepted by the group. We know they don’t accept outsiders and would chase them away.

Pat had another avocado that we hadn’t turned into guacamole fast enough, and she needed to get rid of it. She split it in half lengthwise, removed the seed, and took it out to the crows. Just like the first time, the crows attacked the two pieces with vigor. Soon, two of the birds each grabbed a skin and took off. I guess they peeled off with the peels.

The crows split up when they are looking for food and whomever finds something will give a call for the rest of the gang to join them. Sometimes, Pat will go out with the food, and, if the crows haven’t arrived, she will give the food call, “Caw caw caw caw.” Way off in the distance, she will hear a responding “Caw caw caw caw!” Then, in a minute or two, all five crows will show up for breakfast.

Dave Thomas

3/15/2014