Pretty Cool Facts about the American Crow

In this video, we talk about some pretty cool facts about the American Crow, such as how highly intelligent birds they are and the fact that they are a songbird. They even have funerals, how strange is that?
When it comes to intelligence they’ve been lumped in with Dolphins and Apes, even dubbed as feathered apes though some researchers believe that they may even rival apes for smarts. It has been found that when it comes to reasoning they are on par with a 7-year-old child.
It may be surprising to learn that crows and indeed all other members of the corvid family are songbirds. Crows can produce a whole range of different sounds some are even melodious. Thanks to brain size and all those neurons, crows have sharp memories and can remember a good or bad face for up to half a decade or more. The average lifespan of the American Crow is 7 to 8 years in the wild. That’s just an average though, young birds die at a higher rate than experienced adults. Many individuals live 10-15 years. In the evening you may notice dozens or hundreds of crows coming together. They are getting ready to rest for the night. Large communal roosts of hundreds and even thousands are made usually in towns and cities. Roosting together in large numbers provides them with safety. The More eyes on the lookout the harder it would be for a hawk or owl to hunt them.
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#LesleytheBirdNerd #SmartCrow #Corvid

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Thank you all for the kind words and for sharing your own stories and experiences with your local Crows. A full overview of The American Crow - kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5iVnJqJh9GWh6s Have a great week! Happy Birding With love, Lesley

[@lillywho]

Wait, haven't you done this video before? I'm having serious déjà vu and I don't know where from. _halp_

[@LynxSouth]

Thank you for all you do. I've recommended you to everyone from children in Maine to a bird-loving retiree in Australia. I've become very interested in crows, although I'm still not happy that they caw so loudly in the very early morning that I can't leave my bedroom window open in warm weather.

[@neildbarker]

Timely and excellent video! Spotted a few hundred flying together this afternoon west of Ottawa - no doubt looking for a place to roost. Definitely one of my favourites as well and if you are able to watch them unnoticed, you can see them reasoning and trying to figure things out. I always like to observe them following squirrels and looting what the squirrels have just buried. Thanks for sharing and happy birding as well!

[@TheMotorick]

@@lillywho Yes, This must be a reupload.

[@cindidennis3258]

I adore crows but didn't always. Their song was bothersome and unattractive to me until I realized they sound exactly the way God designed them to sound! They are friendly, in a sense, and I have several who hang around my ground feeders.

[@Munden]

Crows are one of my favorite birds. The crows at my house weren't interested in visiting the feeders, but were on the grass searching for food. This year I built them a raised feeding platform, placed it where they fed, and now fill it with 1-2 dozen unshelled unsalted peanuts daily. They now anticipate it, and caw from a distance when they see me about to refill it.

[@mdgraystone]

Nice. If you want to try something different that will also give you a kick try putting out an egg (hard boiled or raw) and watch how quickly they snatch it up! And with such ease! I love to watch them come for the various goodies I put out for them and eggs are among the most fun to watch them take.

[@jerrybartlett7479]

Crows really like chicken bones too

[@Munden]

@@mdgraystone great idea, just placed an egg on the food alter for them now! 😄🤞

[@garryiglesias4074]

I fed my office's crows with the fat of my steak every morning at my job. They caw, but I also notify them with a whistle. Wild crows, in a urban environment, I'm not close enough to them, but I'm pretty sure they hear my call and it seems they sometimes answer it. Anyway a few seconds to minutes later, they are "watching" on the top of the building, waiting for the right time to get their threat. Very smart boys (well "mines" are European crows...).

[@beyourownforceofnature7291]

⛅️🍃🍂”Great idea!”👌🏻

[@cattailer1077]

Rivaling apes for intelligence, and on par with a 7 year old child....I'm very impressed! They are my favorite bird becausevof experiences I have had with them in the wild. I hike alone and always feel a little safer when the crows start talking, and quite often they follow me for thru my entire hike. Love that♥️

[@cattailer1077]

@Nobody Important lol. Good exercise too!👍🏼

[@ErickMcNerney]

For the most part, they also seem to be friendlier than apes. And regardless, I would rather be on the bad side of a crow than an ape 😅

[@williamagronlund]

I had a crow that was eating bird seeds put there for the smaller birds. Started feeding the crow separately on my balcony. After a week or so it started cawing beside the living room window. It then came everyday at morning time and started cawing until we gave him a treat.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

That sounds about right, the ones I know come to my yard and look up at my window cawing until I come out. haha! I love them! Thanks for watching. Have a great evening

[@cypressrenee1695]

That is amazing how smart they are STILL blows my mind there smarter than the apes. Jane Goodall should have done research on crows instead

[@micahbirdlover8152]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd crows are songbirds 😎 cool

[@dstock9855]

once you build a bond with a crow, and their murder you have a free bouncer for your property

[@johnearle1]

I have a family of crows who hang out in my front garden. I’ve seen courtship displays, disputes, babies being fed, babies learning to fly, and even crows coming up on my deck barking for a snack. I’ve taken thousands of photos of my crew and make calendars from my best shots. They are a constant source of entertainment. They have distinct personalities. That’s what fascinates me most of all.

[@belaoxmyx298]

I was walking in a wetland reserve in North Vancouver. When I saw a crow with its wings slightly open and on the ground. Using my binoculars I was able to see what this crow was doing. This bird was corralling ants to eat using the wings as a fence to keep the ants together while picking them with the beak.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Awesome that you were able to see that behavior.

[@bipedalbob]

I've read that they will essentially douse, or dose themselves with ants, the formic acid that ants emit when agitated will aid in delouseing the lice and mites that they pick up.

[@stevopusser9093]

@@bipedalbob That is correct, it's called "anting" and has been observed many times. Tame ravens and crows have even anted with lit matches. Scrub jays, at least, can sing melodiously, but not at high volume, or maybe it knew it didn't have to since I was so near while feeding it nuts from my hand. Crow owners also have reported their pets singing. Right now I'm working with some wild ravens in the area to get them used to the fact that I'm a good guy...they'll follow me around the neighborhood park now--if I stop for a few minutes, they'll land and come right behind me to see what I'm doing. As for masters of the syrinx, parrots such as the African Grey may dispute that title...or of course the famous lyrebird.

[@bipedalbob]

@@stevopusser9093 by lit matches I would imagine that your referring to used matches, I wonder what would be left over that would work, a trace of sulfer? But for a crow to figure that out is remarkable. I have a family of crows I feed peanuts in the shell and what ever else I think they might like. The older crows that know me are more relaxed and will occasionally shell a few and swallow them before fitting up to three in their beak before flying off, the young ones grab one and go. I now get Gray Jays as well, they seem to follow the crows, I find them to be more cautious yet they can be very bold. There are ravens in the area as well but those where I live are very cautious of people, I haven't had one stop by yet, is there something they like as much as crows like peanuts in the shell that you know of I could try?

[@river4462]

Isn't it so wonderful when we get to witness animals/birds up close when many people will never know! It is such a remarkable thing! I have had experiences similiar. Seeing actions of birds when no one really had a clue as to how that animal acts! Their seasonal behaviors. Etc. People take birds and animals for granted.

[@inessacheshire2766]

I love them too. After I rescued crow fledging from a cat , every night for 2 weeks I kept him in the house and during the day parents were coming in the garden to feed him. He flew away as soon as he was able. They all visit me every day and I think we have a magic connection 😀 since then. As always your video is lovely and professional.❤ thanks.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Thank you kindly, Inessa. That is so wonderful what you did for that crow and the fact the parents came by to feed it during the day. How lovely that they visit you everyday. :)

[@stevopusser9093]

Yes, parent crows are known not to abandon their captive kids, freeing you from the task of feeding them until they can fly! Did yours stay tame? Many do, at least for the people that rescued them. Baby crows often explore the branches near their nest before they can fly, and may fall to the ground. The parents will feed it there and try and harass predators that come near, but will also feed it through the bars of a cage if you want the fledgling to be safer.

[@missshroom5512]

We have a crow family in our back woods. I talk to them all the time. I feel like they know me. I’m in their woods all the time. They are very loyal to one another. We have been here 6 years now and so have they. I love them

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

You can bet that they do indeed know you :) Thanks for watching

[@awho33]

You're lucky... They are amazing creatures

[@aurorafrost288]

I'm envious of everyone who has made friends with their local crows. The ones around here just seem to ignore me altogether. I really thought the sunflower wall around the front porch would finally be the ultimate friendmakers for the crows. But nope. Just ignored. At least the sparrows and a couple different types of finches have been enjoying the Fall feast out there.

[@wolfrevenant1489]

@@aurorafrost288 Try going out to nearby park or field. Crows often like open green spaces, and if you throw some treats (while staying at a respectful distance) you’ll be bound to make some friends. I have a family of four I see everyday when I walk my dog!

[@Hallands.]

@@aurorafrost288 Talk to them, they seem to like that.

[@viennapalace]

I'm reminded of the strangest thing I think I've seen birds do & of course, it was (Australian) crows doing it... Early one November about a decade ago, 60 to 80 (or more) of them had perched on power lines along both sides of the street & one at a time, were flying down to the road surface & singing a song & doing a dance. Every now & then, a car would come along & disrupt their performance but they would just restart their song & dance act if interrupted & when they were finished, the crowd went wild until the next "speaker" took his/her place in the middle of the road! This went on for at least 20 minutes as a friend & I looked on amazed. Then, without warning, they all flew off in what seemed like separate directions. And from that day on, there were hardly any crows in Salisbury until the end of summer... My friend & I looked at each other, both knowing we'd seen something special but neither of us knew exactly what had happened & to this day I still wonder if they were really discussing holiday plans &/or where to go to get away from the heat. Wonderful video Lesley. Thanks for your efforts.

[@noahway13]

I wish you had video of that. Seems very interesting. I know a decade ago, we didn't carry cameras/phones like we do today.

[@viennapalace]

@@noahway13 We did have phones/cameras in our pockets (Wow, you must be young!) but we were just too astonished to do anything but stand & watch... Hindsight is a wonderful thing! 😁

[@noahway13]

You calling me young? That made my day.

[@viennapalace]

@@noahway13 In that case, I can come clean - We were/are old too & forgot phones had cameras! ;)

[@communistvulture6516]

I love corvids. Whenever I’m with my blue jays, or if I run into the crows who live downtown, I get the strange feeling that there are thoughts as complex as mine going on behind those eyes.

[@StandWatie1862]

Lay off the Disney cartoons

[@kingsturtevant7578]

You can get the crows, in the local cemetery, to follow you around if you feed them. They are the most graceful flyers. But they remind of Groucho Marx on the ground.

[@MinaisBellemina]

I absolutely love crows :) my mom fed the crows every day for years and when she got sick and passed away I believe they mourned her they gathered at her house and sat on her railing on her porch for days and just kept visual… it was beautiful I felt more compassion and love from her birds than my own family..

[@eskimocommotion4965]

I'm glad(that sounds weird but...)

[@laurafalce335]

I feed the crows I have multiple sclerosis and and one hand and arm shy of being a quadriplegic. My caregivers help me make scrambled eggs and peanuts and Ritz crackers we put them out there and they eat and it's so cool cuz they're so sweet. I also wondered that when I passed because the crows and I have become friends that when I passed if they too would mourn the way they mourned your mom. It's amazing how intelligent these birds are

[@MinaisBellemina]

@@laurafalce335 yes they are special creatures.. bonds formed with crows are very real and very strong.. your birds will mourn you. I hope your health is good, stay strong.

[@Cassie3angel]

Okay now I love Bluejays and Crows 😭💞

[@Raven1701]

I noticed whenever I lay out seeds at my feeder Crows immediately start cawing. They are getting on to my habits even hang around my second story apartment. I also get the warning calls whenever Blue Jays and Hawks come around too.

[@Cassie3angel]

For me the Bluejays start their food call when I bring out their favorite food lol

[@ArK047]

Vancouver's evening crow migration is something more people need to see.

[@farkleberry471]

Total corvid lover here--jays, crows, ravens, you name it. One time when I lived in an apartment complex near town, I used to feed the crows peanuts in the morning. They'd line up on a fence, and wait for their peanuts. One time I was walking back from town, and about four blocks away from my apartment, they spied me, and flew over me, following me back to my apartment! I was amazed by this because I often left the apartment in my car. I awarded them with peanuts when I returned! I guess they recognized me!

[@tiamia7139]

I just read your comment. I had a similar experience with a crow that I fed for 6 years. I'm retired now, but when I was working my office was two miles from my apartment. This same crow followed me to work one morning and greeted me as I walked up the tree-lined sidewalk leading to the entrance of the building. He swooped from tree to tree as I walked closer to the building entrance. It was him! He was a very large crow and I knew his face, markings and raspy caw -- and he knew me as he was following and looking directly at me. When I came home from work that afternoon around 5:30 p.m., guess who greeted me the moment I stepped out of my car? I rushed up to my 4th floor apartment and put a generous snack out on my patio railing. Blackjack was waiting and ready for dinner, lol. He was the most amazing and comical bird. He would look at me through the window with love in his eyes. They literally would glisten with happiness. He loved all the attention and was such a ham! I have a thing for corvids. When I was in Paris with my daughter, we visited Pere Lachaise. At dusk, the guards started ringing their bells to announce closing time. Suddenly an army of ravens appeared and started swooping and diving overhead. One swooped down and yanked on my ponytail as we made our way towards the exit! They knew the drill and wanted us to leave, lol! I think corvids must be the court jesters of the bird kingdom. 😄

[@farkleberry471]

@@tiamia7139 Thanks for sharing. That is an amazing story!

[@tiamia7139]

@@farkleberry471 You're very welcome. He is one amazing bird. I miss interacting with him.

[@donnabeaudin9114]

When I was a kid, decades ago, my dad brought home an injured crow. I remember as I was helping to care for him, he would make eye contact, and he wasn’t fearful of us. That was with me and my 4 siblings gathered around him! When he got better, my dad let him go. Crows are pretty special!

[@McScootyKins]

I think I've mentioned this on your channel before, but I have a small group of crows that I feed everyday. They definitely know me and my car and they'll follow me through the parking lot. They're so smart and sweet.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Hey! You probably have, and I probably even read it but I can't remember right now. So many comments I read, haha! Pretty cool that they follow you around like that. Fun birds and I agree they are sweet. :) Thanks for watching. Have a great evening

[@tpniefer]

Like you, Lesley, I'm a crow lover. The native people of N. America revered the crow for his intelligence and wisdom, called crows tricksters for the mischief they get into. I'm going to try laying out unsalted peanuts this winter in the hope of establishing some type of rapport with them.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Best of luck to you. I hope you gain one as friend. They are really interesting birds to watch. Thanks for watching

[@annabobanaasmr8411]

I've been going to a lot of museums and restoration sites run by reservations and natives, I love the stories they have for birds and other wildlife. How different birds bring so much to stories based on their real life behavior. Something I've connected from my seperate experience bird watching

[@aurorafrost288]

I propose we start referring to a group of them as a trick of crows instead of a murder of crows. Then again, that is what I call them anyway, and hope it catches on.

[@user-yr5nv2gv7m]

we have hoodies here theyre same, like leaving dough they bummed from streetfood vendors in the birdbath just so other birds get disgusted of it, on the like third day i was just outside and caught it in the act so threw my key in its general direction, after that it kept coming more often, had to clear the dish more than once per day, i guess it just kept asking for crumbs, didnt eat or wash it, just threw it in the water and left, for days, but last time i saw from window something scared it off maybe other birds ganged up, didnt go to the dish just left and then it just got bored of it, or mayb people stopped giving it crumbs... they can get really vengeful and jealous

[@micahbirdlover8152]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd crows are so smart 🤓

[@joseh3564]

I love hearing the crows caw. It's like it brings back good, lifelong memories, especially childhood memories of being outdoors at recess or at a park. They are intelligent and love their families. That's wonderful.😊

[@Randoplants]

I used to live in a place on the edge of city limits where a huge flock of crows would commute to and from every day. It was amazing to watch them. I tried putting up inviting feeding spots and whatnot to encourage them to stop for a visit, but the only time they came by was when a hawk or other bird of prey had strayed into our area - and this was amazingly helpful because we have chickens. After they had chased off any unwanted intruders, one or two crows would stay for a long time as sentries, keeping a vigilant watch. I moved to a nearby area a few years after that. At first, I had some luck building a rapport with the local crows, to the point where they started to imitate my chicken’s treat begging sounds, and them letting me know when the water dish was dirty. This next story gets a bit gross, but it’s also funny: One time a juvenile owl made the mistake of landing in my backyard with a rat they had caught, and the crows got every bird in the neighborhood to come and yell at them. Eventually the owl was able to carefully leave the scolding, minus their rat. The crows ate about half of it, then tossed the remaining half in the bird bath. I figured that meant they were done with it, so I put the rat in the compost bin. Later on, I found it laying in the driveway - so I think they meant it as a gift, and decided to take it back when they realized I wasn’t interested.

[@mlr4524]

I'm blessed to have crows convene in the evening often in the trees around my house before regrouping and deciding where to roost for the night. Always so magical.

[@ddj8459]

When I was about 6 years old, my dad had close contact with a young Crow that we as a family will never forget. The Crow would follow my dad's drive to his work place in the morning which was about 2 miles from our home. When my dad got off from his 8 hour shift, the Crow would meet my dad about 1 mile away before he got home. My dad would pull over to side of road, roll down his window, hold out his arm & the Crow would ride home with my dad. When my mom would hang out the laundry, the Crow would come along & select which clothespins it would take off with mom's laundry on the line. They are truly very intelligent birds, as for me, I remember the Crow being attracted to the shiny buckles on my white little sandals I was wearing & he wanted to peck at them, which of course made me run to get away. You have brought back some very happy memories for me, thank you.

[@deadiemeyers1661]

It's interesting to hear the various songs of the crow. I know that some people find it annoying, but I really love that familiar cawing song, and find it endlessly appealing. Thanks for sharing so much information about this interesting and intelligent branch of the Corvid family.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

I agree, their calls don't annoy me. I do actually enjoy hearing them, nice to know other people feel the same :) I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for watching.

[@uncaboat2399]

I read somewhere that, yes, crows have a wide vocabulary, but to you, it'll all sound like "caw".

[@micahbirdlover8152]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd they can count too☝️

[@dwelch3114]

after 23 on the job, I have been able to see five generation of the same family, and I enjoyed being a part of that family, North Idaho,,

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

How wonderful.

[@laurafalce335]

Crows are so amazing. I'm a paraplegic and I've been feeding the birds at my little cottage for the last 7 years 3 years ago the crows were trying to get my attention. I just realized this now so that I would start to feed them. So every morning my caregivers help me make scrambled eggs and I've give them peanuts and scrambled eggs and crackers. But now they've grown to be my friends and they just come and visit and when I scooter around town if they see me they'll stop by and grow at me. That feeling of love from the 59-year-old Crow is very true. I have experience the feeling of love from these birds as well. It's hard to explain. It's just they spend a lot of time with them because I can't do much else and that's great cuz I've gotten to know them it really deeper level. Thank you so much Leslie for all that you do.

[@sheldorleconcher8870]

I love the daily "jet stream" of crows when they fly over me on my walk to work and over my house later that day on their way back.

[@BirdsandGhibliFan]

I’ve also noticed a few crows flying around on my way to work, too. My workplace is across from a neighborhood, and not too far from a business district, so that could be the reason.

[@AGR96]

Very intelligent, adorable birds along with Ravens. I think they are very good at mocking sounds and even human speech! Our most famous and beloved king in Hungary, Matthias Corvinus had a raven on his crest. Legend says, when he was held captive as a child, he and his mother kept communicating through the help of a raven. A legend, but esy to believe. I am unfortunately not surprised to hear that many people still dislike these birds, and happy to see videos like yours that help changing our society's view about them to their advantage. Thank you!

[@1kittykrazy]

Love this! Thanks for sharing - crows warn me of a hawk being close!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lmsavy2935]

I always love to see them in the fall and I caw at them. I hope that doesnt make them mad. lol

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Haha! Too cute, I'd say it makes them wonder what you are doing :) I find that when I speak to the crows they listen. If I meet Hoppy and her crew half way before I'm home from out in the woods, and I don't have any food left to give them, I just say, "Come on, follow me home I'll get you some food" I point toward the direction of home and every single time it does not fail, they follow me home. Haha!

[@lmsavy2935]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd smart birds. Thank you so much for the facts. I love birds and all animals.

[@tammy5654]

I do the SAME thing. Whenever any crows are nearby I caw at them too ! They seem to look at me quizzical. I LOVE CROWS WITH ALL OF MY HEART.❤❤ Enjoyed so many interactions with them. 😍😍❤❤

[@nancybusso6171]

My favorite birds are CROWS!!! My kitchen has a “crow” theme! I love their walk….march, march, hop, march, march, hop! I love all their “calls”! They are the ultimate bird!! 💖

[@tammy5654]

ABSOLUTELY THE ULTIMATE BIRD. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE CROWS TOO.☺☺😍😍❤❤

[@kylefer]

I had a crow growing up as a pet. Fantastic little bird, I'd get off the bus from school and he'd fly out of the woods and land on my shoulder or head. Kids thought I was some kind of freak. Loved that bird though, he learned words like "hello." Among other things.

[@waynepooley6950]

I now have a newfound appreciation and fascination with crows. Thank you

[@gfcarrera]

I love crows and ravens. They are beautiful creatures, so intelligent and such good flyers. They have amazing flying abilities and communication skills. So much fun to watch.

[@thecrow3380]

The sweetest sound I've ever heard, was my crow, it's beak fully inserted inside my right ear, murmuring softly, full of love.

[@pattyfair7384]

I feed crows daily. They are absolutely my favorite

[@tammy5654]

I feel the same way about crows. My ABSOLUTE FAVORITES. 😍😍❤❤

[@Jykinturah]

Just yesterday, I heard crows crying out in alarm and saw them chasing away a red tailed hawk. This was deep in the city! They dove at the hawk making a higher pitched cawing sound, and more and more crows joined to chase the hawk away. It was crazy to watch.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

I believe that, it can get pretty intense when a hawk is spotted by a crow. Not long before there is a whole team of them. Thanks for watching.

[@wendynordstrom3487]

Crows are just wonderful birds. I feed the neighborhood flock and love watching them come hopping along to see what I've put out. 💕

[@joshuatamisford2574]

Just awesome! I love our corvids. They are the best.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Agree :) Thanks for watching

[@micahbirdlover8152]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd thank you 😊 Lesley

[@raybutt4084]

This bird as always fascinated me and I feed them every morning would love to have one for a pet 🦅

[@johntbd]

When I was a kid in grade school in the late sixties street hockey was popular. A friend of mine who lived in another neighborhood had a crow who would watch our games. When there was a score the crow would screech out GOAL! With us.

[@mamaboocee]

My crows of the local TARGET parking lot - they follow me around in my car in the morning for peanuts - I wait till dawn and now I know their routine. I throw them unsalted peanuts in the shell. If they aren't there yet and I have to leave, I leave peanuts where they will find them. The crows inspect all the shopping carts, bags and garbage before flying off to the next bunch of litter humans leave behind. I just hope people know not to leave something dangerous that could get caught around a foot, a neck or a wing! I saw a crow messing with a HUGE toad in a rainstorm. I didn't know what was so interesting to the crow till I got closer. I herded the frog to safety after several attempts to get him out of my car tire wheel-wells! After I got him to safety, I found a silver ring on the ground very near to him and I call it my frog prince ring. I pretended he gave me three wishes, and you know what? He really did grant them! Or someone/something did! They were just small little wishes, but nice ones! 😊 The crows really do make some interesting "clocks" and weezes! And the Raven that hangs with them did the same! What a size difference between blue jays, crows and ravens!

[@69jbr69]

When I was a kid we had a few pet crows but this one came to us after a storm downed it's tree and we had an old Dachshund dog at same time. The crow eventually ended up living with the old dog in his dog house. They would both come out and bark when people arrived. Yes, the crow quickly learned dog language and could speak it well. Than one day we noticed the crow staring into the dog house and than bringing food to the old Dachshund, his name was Skippy. It was sadly Skippy's time. The crow sat on the dog house for a few weeks after we had to put Skippy down but was never the same. It eventually flew off to join other crows but would stop by now and than for many months to look in dog house. Crows are crazy smart.

[@mamaboocee]

@@69jbr69 all I can say is WOW!

[@BirdsandGhibliFan]

@@69jbr69 Aw! That’s so sweet that the Crow stopped by every now and then after your dog died. 🥲 I wonder if it was trying to figure out where your dog was, or knew if your dog was really gone, and was sending its condolences.

[@SW13333]

@@69jbr69 - Wonderful story!

[@BabiesKillYou]

Befriending a crow and/or owl in my lifetime is a life goal 🥰

[@JM-bs7ke]

I think crows are fascinating birds, smart and beautiful

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Definitely agree with that :) Thank you for watching. Have a great evening

[@maria2400]

I have a family of crows here. I put out scraps, leftovers, etc. Now they seem to wait for me and watch me. I just love them.

[@peterwilson605]

Last winter, crows spent a few days in my backyard. I observed one pick up an unshelled peanut, walk it around the house from the backyard to the front, stop in the front lawn, look around, set the peanut down, dig a little bit in the grass, pick the peanut backup, place it in the divot, then place grass back on top of it. It was neat to see this same caching in the video - I had assumed it was taking lessons from the squirrels.

[@Youtubesucks565]

The crows are my favorite bird, I love how they take over a tree and just communicate with one another. Love to to wake up go outside and just hear them screeching in the sky, or chase a a hawk! awesome birds!

[@michaelstrauss6587]

Yes, they definitely get to know a person and will interact and play "games". When running on the beach day after day they took notice and started seemingly to dare each other in a sort of reverse counting coup...( yeah, I know, counting crows, right.) Anyway, they noticed I would leap over certain driftwood logs on the beach, and would sit on the logs, seemingly daring each other as to who would place themselves closest to me without "chickening" out (sorry)... A few times some even stayed put and allowed me to leap over them!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Pretty neat interaction you've been having with them. I can't believe that some stayed while you leaped over them, so unexpected but neat. Thanks for sharing. Have a great evening

[@teabagmcpick889]

My favourite bird in the UK. Love 'em. Such magnificent creatures & smart too. What's not to like?

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Couldn't agree more!

[@ImL8]

Great video! Crows are one of my favorites.

[@ln1058]

Thank you, Lesley, for this lovely video - and all your other wonderful videos! I really enjoy them, and they always teach me so much. Here's an experience I once had with a crow: Since Crows are my Totem animal, I was looking for a feather for my altar. One day, as I was walking down a city street, I saw a Crow in a tree. I stopped, looked up at it, and said "Please give me a feather." Soon after that, the Crow cawed, flew off, and a feather came spiraling down and landed right in front of my feet! I could hardly believe what had happened, and was shaking with awe and excited gratitude as I ran home with the feather! :-).

[@dizzylizzy6571]

I have loved crows ever since I was a small child sixty years ago. There is something hauntingly wild about crows. I think they look beautiful and I love their sweet wild "caw" sound! Plus they really ARE wildly intelligent! Great presentation Lesley! 💙❤️💛💜💚🧡🤎

[@errolandrade4235]

I've had a crow coming over for years to my place and I always feed it and talk to it and it always responds and so attentive to everything that's going on at home but didn't have a clue as to how intelligent they are until I just watched your video. I now feel blessed. Thank you so much for sharing ☺️😍

[@mattdeblassmusic]

There's an ongoing war between my neighborhood crows and a Cooper's Hawk whose territory is around a school building a few blocks west. Ever so often the hawk comes a little too far into Crow territory and the the corvids go nuts. Sometimes they mob the hawk, but more often a single crow will chase the hawk around while all the others yell at it from the trees.

[@longstrangetrip3535]

I made friends with a family of crows during this pandemic, I have been working from home for nearly two years. It was at the inception of my having to work at home that I noticed in one of the pine trees along side my home that there was a nesting pair, this was in early spring and the snow was still falling. I noticed one morning the were looking for food under the pine trees but weren’t having much luck due to the snow and ground being frozen. That’s when I decided to toss a few slices of bread out onto the snow, it wasn’t long before this became a daily routine. They don’t stop by everyday like they use to, but usually visit three or four times a week. I get a kick out of watching them as they have their own personalities, extremely smart animals.

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

I love watching them solve puzzles…I can literally see them analyze and solve very quickly. Such amazing birds.

[@westernfilet]

As a Seattle resident, watching the morning sky as thousands head out to find food and the same at night as they fly home to roost, is amazing. Absolutely fantastic birds!

[@jamiecoe3503]

Thank you so very much for your outstanding videos. My favorite story is ,there was a couple in Europe that had crows/ravens that hung out of their house & the lady adored them so much that she used to feed them daily but her husband was not happy about them so when he would leave the house he would often try to kick them or throw things out them . The birds were watching visitors at the couple's house and noticed that they would ring their door bell so they birds started to do the same thing? The woman was so happy that she would come out & feed them which outraged her husband so he would aggressively throw things at them ? As you mentioned in your last video that they don't forget & so they watched the husband leave and then when he would return they would cover his car with fiecius & you can imagine how much he was outraged & yet his wife was so very amused. The husband would then try to stop his wife from feeding them & when this didn't work he decided to move his car around in the next street to park it ? Assuming such stupid birds would then give up while still treating them badly and much to his surprise the crows found the car & continued cover his car with excrament then return to ring the door bell and be fed by the man's wife. Thank you so very very much once again for your videos. Peace James

[@dinapawlow1622]

My favourite bird. Their curiosity over anything novel that I leave in the yard is so endearing.

[@Catarinawon]

Leslie always lets all of us know that something we take for granted and think we know we don't. It's amazing that these birds mourn their deceased family. Thank you Leslie for re-introducing this intelligent bird.

[@henrymerker]

Living in a big city, I don't get as many native songbirds or other exciting species as my friends and family see at home in the suburbs and country. But my local crows are always a treat to watch, especially when the mockingbirds spot them and they tussle around! The sound of their caws always reminds me of this time of year, and their smarts never cease to amaze me.

[@tammy5654]

SO TRUE !! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING BIRDS CROWS ARE. I ADORE CROWS.❤

[@StormiidaeBlogspot]

Amazing creatures. I've been interacting with the crows on my neighbourhould for about 20 years now, they never cease to entertain and intrigue me.

[@danbev8542]

Thank you for the wonderful video! I love crows.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

You're welcome, Dan. So happy that you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching. Have a great evening

[@faybayers3750]

Love crows!! Great video!

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Us too! Thanks for the nice comment. Have a great evening

[@tiamia7139]

This is going to be long...Many years ago, I befriended an incredibly intelligent, sweet wild crow who I named Blackjack. He was a very large, majestic looking crow and radiated intelligence. He had this energy about him that was palpable. He was clearly the leader of his murder. More than once I saw Blackjack drive off very aggressive red tail hawks during nesting season. He would "call his troops" and they would mob the crap out of a particularly pesky hawk. 😄 Once Blackjack landed on my 4th floor patio railing and started squawking...so LOUD!! He must have noticed me eating lunch and reading my book out there earlier. I started leaving him healthy (low salt) leftovers and other snacks on my patio. I would spread these out on the middle of the patio railing leaving him space on either end of the railing "to land." 🤩 His aerial acrobatics were a sight to see! The moment I went back inside, he would swoop over and land with a thud to check out what I left on the railing for him. He loved cheddar cheese, turkey, unsalted peanuts in the shell, pumpkin pie, hard boiled eggs (yolks only), and peanut butter and strawberry jam on Dave's multigrain bread ($7 a loaf...). I made him 2" square mini-sandwiches he could easily pick up with his beak. He had a sweet tooth too and loved Walker's shortbread cookies. No matter what I left him, he would take a little taste and bite for himself... then stuff his beak full and swoop off to hide some in his cache inside the chimney top directly across from my apartment building -- or share it with his mate. They started bringing their fledglings to my patio each year, where I would leave them a bowl of mealworms. Blackjack was extremely loving with his mate and babies and would take turns feeding them. It would bring tears to my eyes watching this. He was so sweet and tender with his family. I gave him 3 generous meals a day, more during fledgling season. Very often at dawn, I would see Blackjack at the very top of a 100 ft. pine tree directly across from my patio. He would be perched on his favorite branch looking directly toward my patio...waiting. 😄 The first time I saw him there, I thought 'I'll wave my arms to let him know that his snack is ready and then see what he'll do.' Corvids are incredibly observant and intelligent. They pick up on things very quickly - you don't have to show them twice. The moment Blackjack spotted me standing at the railing waving my arms at him, he immediately started bobbing his head and cawing like mad from his 100ft. perch acknowledging me! He knew that I meant him no harm and that he could trust me. That was the beginning of my 5-6 year "love affair" with this magnificent, majestic crow. 💞 From that morning on, at the break of dawn, Blackjack would come swooping over "like a bat out of hell" from his pinetree perch every morning -- straight to my 4th floor patio railing. Even my cat Tia would get in on the act and start meowing to let me know her friend was here. I could hear him land on my railing at the opposite end of my apartment. When he came in for a landing, it was like a dull thud. Then he would bob his head and announce presence! He was always in high spirits with this impish energy. He was a very confident, comical, sweet crow. He would perch on the back of a patio chair, cock his head at me and his eyes would glisten in amusement as I talked to him through my windows. My black cat Tia, a rescue, would sit on the back of the sofa staring at him too! Blackjack could have cared less that there was a cat staring at him through the window. No fear! He loved interacting that way, but I could never get him to stay on the patio once I opened the patio door. Crows are extremely polite and appreciative. Blackjack always turned to look directly at me through the window and bob his head 3 times (it was always 3 times, not 2, not 4), before he took off with his beak full of the treats. He did this so consistently that I realized it was his sweet way of thanking me for the treats I left him. One early morning when I went out to put his snacks on the railing, I noticed there was a single strawberry sitting exactly in the middle of the patio railing where I left his goodies. Although he loved strawberry jam on the peanut butter sandwiches I made for him, I had never given Blackjack whole strawberries. No one else had access to my 4th floor patio. There was absolutely no one who could have put a strawberry on my patio railing 4 stories up! Guess who?!! Blackjack had thoughtfully chosen a juicy red strawberry from his cache of goodies and left it as a gift. I had read about crows occasionally leaving love gifts, but this was 3-4 years after I started leaving him treats. I have to tell you, I started sobbing when I picked up his sweet gift to me. We're talking about a wild crow! And they say animals can't reason, they don't feel emotions like we do??? Last year, 6 years after I first met Blackjack, I retired and moved in with my daughter and son-in-law in a nearby town. Anticipating my move, I began gradually decreasing the snacks I left for Blackjack. I didn't see him for a couple of weeks. Then, as if by a miracle, I heard his familiar caw and ran out onto my now empty patio. The movers were coming in 2 days. There Blackjack was, perched directly across from me on his chimney top, bobbing his head like mad while cawing and looking directly at me. He KNEW! As incredibly observant as he was, he knew I was leaving. He had probably watched me from afar as I packed up the items on my patio. I know it sounds crazy, but that crow was wicked smart. Twice he followed me as I drove from home to my office just 2 miles away. I saw him bobbing his head looking at me and cawing like he always did as I walked down the tree-lined walk towards my office building. It was Blackjack. I would know him anywhere. He would often greet me the moment I arrived home from the grocery store or from work. He would perch in a pine tree next to my building bobbing his head and cawing at me...HELLO! It's been a year since my move and I still miss Blackjack. I truly loved him, and I know he loved me. I will never, ever forget him.

[@joeytipping7436]

Thank you so much for sharing that wonderful story about your crow Blackjack. It really tugged at my heart. 🥰

[@jdk9673]

There’s nothing quite like experiencing a genuine relationship with an animal, especially a wild animal. Thanks for your story!

[@tiamia7139]

@@jdk9673You're welcome. I couldn't agree more.

[@tiamia7139]

@@joeytipping7436 Aww, you're very welcome. I love birds and corvids are my favorite.

[@bethgabriel2534]

I have not been as observant of crows as you, living outside a small suburb. Absolutely gob-smacked by all these stories! I’m going to give it a try myself. I do have a smallish group around, maybe 50. Mostly I hear them when they’re chasing off our local red tailed hawks. The crows don’t come near my feeders, so I’ll try the unsalted peanuts route, maybe on a small platform. Thanks for inspiring me, great story!

[@Nigel_Tberry]

The building where I work us right in between a McDonalds and Burger King. I enjoy seeing the crows and even raven hanging out around the area. Their antics are comical

[@tammy5654]

I love their antics too. Such fascinating, intelligent, and amazing birds to watch.☺☺👍👍

[@mv5146]

I was happy to be able to get really close to one of my crows that visit the pine trees one day. What is most intriguing is how they study us just like we study them. It was a lot of fun that day.

[@pamelap.123]

When we used to put our garbage out in bags instead of bins, I would marvel at the crows working as a team to get into those bags and feast.

[@BirdsandGhibliFan]

My sister, mom, and I once saw a numerous flock of crows foraging at a dumpster behind a Taco Bell. My mom said, “That adds a whole new meaning to dumpster diving”. 😄

[@GOJIEDITZZ555]

Crows are my favorite bird I've seen them put their intelligence to the test many times, and I've seen Crows harrasing hawks,owls,vultures, and even a squirrel.I even seen Crows opening McDonald's boxes for food.

[@jerryjones188]

Hi Lesley. Two March months in a row, I have witnessed crows and Cooper's Hawks being friendly with each other. Last March, I noticed a large and a smaller (adult & juvenile?) Cooper's Hawk serenely flying with a single crow. They were obviously comfortable with each other, flying very close to and with each other. They were about 90-100 yards away, just above mesquite tree level and I did not hear any noise out of them. Later that same day, I noticed a crow and what I think was the smaller hawk flying together again at a little higher elevation, with the crow periodically making a gentle caw-caw. And they were doing relaxed aerial maneuvers, as if playing with each other. A few days ago in early March, I heard a single crow making a gentle cawing like I had never heard before, almost like it was purring like a kitten, but with the tell-tale voice of the crow. I finally found where he was flying and he was way up in the sky above my head and was joined by a hawk. This hawk was basically flying side by side with the crow, and was possibly a Red-tailed Hawk. Have you ever witnessed this type of behavior between hawks and crows before? I have seen when crows are upset and driving another crow or hawk out of its territory and it is very loud and raucous. I am anxious to know what you think of this experience. Thank you.

[@maxshenkwrites]

I just never get enough of these guys... My favorite birds by far. Thank you!

[@ArleneDKatz]

Thank you Lesley 😘 whenever I think about crows (and wolves) I think how America’s indigenous peoples revered them.

[@nadas9395]

My bird feeders and baths have drawn crows, Chihuahuan crows, ravens, and grackles. They're all beautiful birds, and they are smart as heck! There's a mating pair in a pine tree outside my house. They're part of a bigger flock from a tree across the street. Fred and Debbie the crow. That's my crow story. :)

[@Hoggy1963]

Always liked hearing them and wstching their antics

[@BathtubSkyPirate]

I love corvids too :]

[@teddys5775]

We had a crow my wife named Percy in our yard. He would wait for us to go in the living room and knock on the window so we would refill the bird feeder.

[@kelticladi]

My favorite corvid is the redwing blackbird. Their song is one of the spring heralds I look for every year.

[@gertrudelaronge6864]

I love crows. And their voices. I think crows are my favorite bird.

[@kitcarsoncarson615]

I came here today to learn more about crows. Whenever I hear a crow I always think of fall. I don't know why. Crows were a big part of my life when I was a kid but after having moved to Texas I haven't had the privilege of seeing them. Just recently, I have had my first crow sighting and boy do I love it.

[@eskimocommotion4965]

When I was 6 my father brought home a baby raven(he was logger) named it Noon Shadow He raised it and taught it a couple words. I accidentally (I think) let him go, left the cage door open. I think birds are awesome! They make good friends.

[@j2geek]

Crows understand physics? Well, they're smarter than me.

[@rkoff5744]

I love crows. I'm so glad you did a deeper dive into them. I didn't know they were songbirds! I love their intelligence and how much they can remember. They are remarkable. 👍 Great video.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Hey, thank you so much. I'm really glad that you enjoyed learning about how they are songbirds. A lot of people do not know that about them, and there are rare few who get angry about that fact. Have a great night.

[@micahbirdlover8152]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd I love this video ☺️🥰 thank you

[@acatwizard]

Thank you Lesley for a neat vid

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

You’re welcome 😊

[@aislinngraves4291]

I love how smart they are.

[@LexYeen]

I've seen the local flock of crows mobbing both ravens and hawks. Their coordination is impressive enough that I don't want to get on their bad side.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Haha! Yea they are really good. I watch ones in my area all the time chasing after ravens and diving at them. I have to be honest though, it seems to me that the ravens deliberately fly slowly through a crow territory just to razz them up. Even with the crows chasing it, the raven just glides by slowly, even circling around and doing flips. I honestly think they do it on purpose, like it is fun to them or something.

[@gt4lex]

The couple of crows who usually hand out around my house once nearly made a seagull crash through my window while I was sitting right next to it. I definitely saw them pecking that white bird mid-flight right before that.

[@danis.9130]

I adore crows, we have 3 regular visitors and I always try to say hi when they are nearby. I find your videos fascinating and how you have actually been able to form a bond with various birds, please continue to share these with us.

[@awho33]

I love your videos as much as I love crows and ravens 💕

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Too sweet :) Thank you so much, Alicia. Have a great evening

[@jeffolson4731]

Great video. I like watching and being around crows. I take a lot of pictures of birds including crows. I have noticed most photographers don't seem to bother with crows but I think they are missing out. With their coloring they are very difficult to photograph well, it is hard to get the right lighting to see the details.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Agree very much with that. Crows can be a great way to get familiar with your camera and different lighting. Thank you for watching. Have a great evening

[@mamaboocee]

Me, too! I cannot resist pulling out my camera when a bird is around! My phone is just filled - wait, no - TWO phone filled with 1terabyte of BIRDS!!

[@amsbestunderstanding1646]

I love how the crows help keep the city cleaned up. I enjoy seeing them strut around with confidence. Thank you for the info Leslie. They really do have a lot to crow about! 😍

[@jeffreywilliams3421]

Crow: "That's right, I sing for a living" Me: "Oh cool, what songs do you si-" Crow: "CAW CAW CAW CAW"

[@itsmewende]

I love them too. There's one that sits on a camera on the top of our local walmart. When I hear him going off it makes me smile every time. After hearing they remember faces, maybe he's shouting about a thief coming or going.

[@mscir]

Every animal I've seen that the owners told me never knew trauma has had an amazing open-hearted energy.

[@thereseember2800]

Crows wake up first, even before sparrows. I’ve fed crows for years. They don’t like for you to watch them eating, so I look away while they eat. They call out to their crow relatives to share food sources. They also flew, following my car & 9 of them were walking on the roof of my car while I was inside it. They’d follow me to different towns. There were several that slept in the same tree every night in this one town. Usually a crow that makes the most noise is a younger one that wants its mother to feed it. They also make clucking sounds. One time I noticed 2 crows hovering close to the ground above the sidewalk. I approached & they were trying to scare away a hawk that was attacking a pigeon (to eat it) on the sidewalk. I didn’t know crows protected pigeons. I brought the injured pigeon to Thrifty’s pharmacy in Encino, CA to buy a dropper to feed it and model Rachel Hunter (Rod Stewart’s ex-wife) was sitting there waiting for a prescription. I then drove to Jiffy Lube & asked the young employee guys there if they could care for the pigeon. Come to find out, one guy raised homing pigeons so he took the pigeon home. Later, I went by there to ask about the pigeon and he said that all of the other pigeons had been hand-feeding it for a month. It was unable to fly but they were all caring for their injured fellow pigeon. I didn’t know pigeons did that either. Also, when I was watching a horse ranch, I became acutely aware that horses pay extremely close attention to both crows’ and ground squirrels’ alarm calls. I hadn’t known that before. They all watch out for each other. One time I met a Tibetan princess, and she said that when her family was escaping the Chinese military takeover of Tibet in 1959, her family followed a crow that was flying (showing them a route to safety). She told me that the crow is a protection form symbol of the Dalai Lama which, in crow form, is called Mahakala. Two crows appeared on his roof when he was born, which the locals interpreted that a holy being was inside.

[@eelsoirdor3573]

I'm from central Mexico and we do not see American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) around, but we have "Cuervo Grande" (Corvus corax) which is my favorite bird. I know English speaking people call these "Ravens", and consider them different than crows. In spanish we call "Cuervo" every bird from the genus "Corvus"... Cuervo - Corvus, you see, in reality they are all crows :P just kidding ;) Love your videos, please keep'em coming!

[@lmsavy2935]

Very interesting. You study a lot Lesley. Thanks.

[@LesleytheBirdNerd]

Thank you very much! My whole life revolves around reading up and researching birds :) Have a great evening

[@lmsavy2935]

@@LesleytheBirdNerd You to.

[@ShadeSlayer1911]

Crows are my favorite animal.

[@LivingMyBestLifeIAm]

I love the Corvids almost as much as I love my own parrots. I am especially fond of the Magpies we have in Canada. They seem to imitate me and it makes my heart swell. I agree with you 100% Leslie. I adore these birds too.

[@EllaNchanted]

I've loved them since I was a tiny tot.

[@labrysonharbin2441]

Love Cornell and the many beloved courses I’ve taken about one of my favorite birds , The Raven! Love watching their antics in my backyard! Excellent video! Thank you Leslie! Happy Birding!

[@nicatee8737]

I love crows! They are one of my favorite birds. About four years ago I started putting out unshelled, unsalted peanuts for them in the winter to feed them. After that first winter, I have a group of 5 that return every mid-October looking for peanuts.