Thousands of crows flock to Burnaby every day to roost. Witness their spectacular journey.

Crows from all over the Greater Vancouver area travel to a quiet, unassuming street in Burnaby to roost, reaching numbers as high as 10,000 during the winter months. This film follows their daily journey.
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Credits:
Jack Bailey - Director, Producer, Editor
Shiun Okada - Director of Photography & Co-Producer
Liron Gertsman - Co-Producer + Colourist
J. B. McCarthy - Sound Editor & Mixer
Ethan Volberg - Production Sound
Produced for CBC Creator Network.
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[@LironGertsman]

It was so much fun filming this project with my friends & colleagues Jack and Shiun this fall. Thanks to CBC for making this project happen! Also, a big thank you to the crows for being so amazing, they really captured our curiosity and imagination!

[@jeremyl9515]

Did you guys did the post work as well? it's awesome~ 👍🏼 Hey CBC get these guy on more project to shoot! you guys need it.

[@LironGertsman]

​@@jeremyl9515 Thanks, glad you enjoyed! Yes, it was edited by Jack Bailey, who also directed. Sound was done by J.B. McCarthy, and I did the colour.

[@crowfoot1199]

this was really cool! I may be biased ;-)

[@tengotnco5942]

Artistically well presented with music no words required... it also makes us wonder why ? There is similar phenomenon in Surrey

[@thisisme1999]

That was so cool, just last week I was wondering where the crows roost out in the Fraser Valley? Lately I had been seeing huge flocks in different parks feeding on the European Chaffer Larva in the lawns. According to my search on Google they seem to roost near the American border in Langley, birds from both sides of the border gather there. Thank you for sharing that, I became reacquainted with information I once knew but I had forgotten.

[@edwardandrews1241]

I used to do deliveries to the costco on willingdon and still creek at sunrise and was always fascinated by the sights and sounds of the thousands of crows roosting in the trees around the store.

[@forivall]

Yeah, I used to work in the business park around still creek. I've been fascinated with this ever since.

[@theUnmanifest]

I love crows, they are wonderful and so intelligent.

[@louisemcelhill5748]

Thank you for making this video. It is almost magical when, every evening (unless they are nesting), all the crows suddenly lift off, almost as one. And head to Still Creek, to their night time roost. They make excited cawing noises. I always think they sound happy. Happy that they survived another day. ❤

[@kaze987]

This was beautiful. I live close by and the skies grow dark with thousands of birds from every direction. Really quite a sight to see

[@Marchochias]

Great production values and mixing! The shot of the crow in front of the moon especially was great. Hopefully this gets the views it deserves, lot of effort put into this.

[@kerengertsman4278]

Such an incredible mix of scenes from our lives and the crows' lives, all in parallel. All so cleverly thought out!

[@LostBoyScout]

I love passing through their roost by bike after dark when they're asleep and silent, yet their presence is eerie and awesome. Crows are wonderfully interesting creatures. Beautiful video!

[@matter9]

I was going to say the same thing. There’s value to having a bike that doesn’t sound like a swarm of bees. I really really enjoy getting to be surrounded by so many highly intelligent creatures- it’s a nice change from most of the rest of the day 😉

[@jenn-k-h]

I know they're usually near the Costco, but I've never known exactly where. Is there a specific street where you see them in the trees? Would love to head over there one night 😊

[@LostBoyScout]

@@jenn-k-h the corner of Still Creek and Gilmore, you'll see them all around from there, especially towards the south :)

[@jenn-k-h]

@@LostBoyScout Awesome, much appreciated! 😊🙌

[@calebdrew5684]

I LOVE this presentation! I am crow daddy to Rook, Marjorie and their son Georgie whose territory is 45th Ave near MacDonald Park. They built their nest within sight of my house and Georgie is 3 years old now. They all leave for Still Creek around 4pm in the winter months. They like stopping by my backyard before bedtime for a snack. They all know their names and take turns for food, but the boys always steal food from Marjorie.

[@CorpseGoddess]

We live directly under their flight path and we love to sit on our balcony and watch them all go by overhead. It's extraordinary.

[@misterfunnybones]

I was riding my bike near Grandview & Slocan & it was like a scene from The Birds. Uncountable numbers of crows resting & some arriving while others leaving as they cross the city heading back to "The Roost."

[@j.b.mccarthy767]

What a blast this was to sound design and mix, thanks for the inspiring work by everybody else!

[@pegnewsarepta3589]

I love crows. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@MikeGvozdev]

What a cinematic masterpiece it is!

[@love4wildlife]

This is very well put together. Love the juxtaposition of the human commute vs the crows commute.

[@Ravenswalk]

Huge flocks of Crows fly over our house in Surrey in the late afternoon heading back to their roost sometimes the trees in our back garden are full Crows and the noise is amazing.

[@carolynburr85]

I used to live in Burnaby and was fascinated and amazed at the gathering of crows every evening. Then I moved to West Vancouver - an apartment on the seawall - and every evening I would see a much smaller, but very purposeful, flight of crows heading east and perhaps slightly south. I always wondered if they were the West Van crow contingent going to join their cousins in Burnaby for the night! Well done, Liron!!

[@crowcrone0099]

I do rescue and release on crows and other corvids. I have an imprinted crow who has stayed with me named Duckie. The crow is my favorite bird. I loved watching your video. Thank you.

[@kpaxian6044]

I love this! I have seen them out by BCIT in huge numbers and they always make me think of Halloween and something otherworldly. Thank you little crows, for making my life more magical.

[@UnveilVeritas]

Beautiful piece of work on some of my favourite birds in this city. You captured the crowmute so beautifully! They're so much smarter than we realize! I used to work around where they roost and was amazed at the smell they leave behind, almost like wet dog. 😄

[@rainorshine7816]

Crows are wonderful beings 🙏 let’s welcome them and protect their home

[@catherinewoods3132]

Near Still Creek Drive? When I used to work near there, I saw them every day.

[@johnnyboyvan]

I love crows. They are not only beautiful but extremely intelligent. They have genetic memory so be careful who you harass. 😅

[@DJsunkid]

OH MY GOODNESS! Thank you so so SO much for creating this spectacular film about one of my most favourite subjects! I think about these crows a LOT. Like do they have their own accent? What kind of reputation do they have with other local crows. I really believe that crows have society and culture, so probably being a crow from Still Creek proabably MEANS something.. but what? We humans may never know...

[@downhillupside]

Great short film. Love the shots/editing.

[@flim360]

Beautiful video. You have no idea how often I wonder about this daily crow's ritual when I see them fly east.

[@Shwethascar]

Wow... Incredible video!! I live in Vancouver. Just yesterday, I captured a video of a huge flock of these crows flying towards Burnaby in the evening and I see this on my YT recommended ☺️

[@Jddjdurjf]

I feed 2 outside my window near Arbutus area and each year is enjoyable to watch how they live. This spring they made a family, so now theres 3.

[@cerlxl]

So great!!! I get to see this same nightly ritual in Portland, and it never disappoints. Thank you for capturing the wonder so beautifully 🫶🏻

[@erod4668]

One of the very few things I miss about living in Vancouver.

[@GirlEvie]

Excellent interpretation of the experience of the Vancouver crows, just wow 🤩

[@gr8tbigtreehugger]

Beautifully done!

[@Cherish..2]

That was awesome.....award winning

[@murielhuang8410]

would definitely love to see more

[@jenn-k-h]

Amazing footage!! Love this so much 😊 They often fly over our house in New West on their way to Burnaby, it takes a few minutes for the huge flocks to pass. It's so neat to watch ❤

[@felixpalmersteinhauser6856]

god tier editing 🤯 awesome sound.

[@mohamadrezakhoshtinat4129]

what an incurable video! Thank you so much. I really enjoyed it😍🤩.

[@SpicyBiCutiePie]

This is so beautifully filmed and lovingly edited! Thanks, very much enjoyed seeing this and have to share with fam and friends 😊 I’ve experienced these crows around Still Creek on a night drive home last week and i was in awe at the largest murder of crows to behold!

[@doge4855]

This goes so hard! Very impressed 👍🏼

[@lisahemeon8262]

Beautiful film. Fascinating, intelligent and wonderful creatures 🐦‍⬛🖤🖤

[@paulaprzybylski1927]

Such a well made video! I live near that area and always wondered about the crows.

[@mystvandle]

I work in the area. It is a sight to see when I leave for the day!

[@cpbbg5bcbbg580]

All right beautiful excellent short film a lot of work is involved in their of course a lot of images are moving and yes it is beautiful work compared to all the commercials comparing to all the commercial work out there this is an amazing little film 4 minutes what a difference just a little bit of oven escape from our gloomy world ultimately they have to continue to go to work and as far as CBC well thank you for exposing those guys I think they're a great asset to Canada and I think they're a great talent what I saw is an amazing work and I saw and I said wow short to the point no red tape beautiful the images are spectacular

[@choosetobefree]

the moment i see crow and Burnaby- immediately already know it is Still Creek! say 11pm - midnight, completely eerie usually in all those nearby lots behind McDs. every night without fail there they are

[@cpbbg5bcbbg580]

Once again beautiful work also love the soundtrack I mean I said it before in a previous posting but this is a big wow

[@Sickworld96]

Amazing video, great production

[@ytc6227]

Beautiful!!

[@smsteele7974]

we watch them leave the West End from our 26th floor apartment with great fascination, thank you!

[@lyshai.1720]

This is amazing video! Thanks for making it!

[@deborahcabot3100]

Well done!

[@monicagloom6122]

That moon shot!

[@tracyrobinson9442]

Thank you so much for this very enjoyable video! I was born in Vancouver and now live in Burnaby near Willingdon. Crows are a fascination of mine and I have been feeding a family ( yes i know i made a mistake doing so but now I can't stop because the crow i first fed came back with his "wife" and then each year for the past few, the babies are introduced.) I know it's the same crow because it's head is usually large and the feathers on the back of his head are messy and not smooth like others.

[@kpaxian6044]

I want this person or people who edited and film this to create a Halloween or spooky show. Give them the tools...they made this amazingly atmospherically rich!!

[@midknight1968]

Beautiful creature ❤❤❤

[@brilang71]

There's another large group of crows that nest somewhere southwest of Aldergrove. At the right time of year in spring and fall, you can see them flying towards Mt. Baker in the mornings (and I'm sure other directions, but my commute is along Zero Ave).

[@sawfiler1958]

Same thing happens over by the Hard Rock Casino in Coquitlam, it's quite a sight.

[@ImageMaven]

This is brilliant! I'm a fan of all Corvus species. So interesting.

[@luzmariagallo4644]

Beautiful ❤

[@itchynights]

people accuse the cbc of being too left wing but i saw a lot of right wings here too

[@James-hl6eh]

Used to see this every afternoon.blantyre uk.

[@alizarinrose9933]

I need to know who composed the beautiful music.

[@wendimacaulay7993]

They converge on the McDonalds parking lot at Still Creek. Seen it many times when I lived in Burnaby

[@melb7659]

My family has been calling them the McDonalds Crows for over 30 years 😂

[@boyjimini11]

The crowmute

[@InspiredByBrad]

Which street specifically did they choose to roost?

[@lattakia3812]

Still Creek Drive

[@cheneyrobert]

Very 😎👏👏👏🥂

[@grahammitchell7902]

I used to work on Still Creek many years ago. I'd walk down to the McDonald's and grab dinner occasionally and the trees would just be black with crows.

[@davebassi7340]

I have crow friends!

[@Jhossack]

They fly past my NV window every evening.

[@westbeach80]

Memories of BCIT.

[@szlive1]

I want to know how they can sleep with the rain and snow and wind on them. I couldn't sleep in those conditions.

[@az-yq3rk]

I call crows dog-birds bc they bury their food for future. This is a lovely video, would like to see it with Leonard Cohen singing his song called Bird on a Wire. Thx, great video!

[@arendwittkreuz4462]

Commuters just like us! Btw. I am lucky, I can ride my bicycle. I want to ride it where I like (yes, this is a quote ;-)

[@rkky]

Does anyone know why they flock to this part of central Burnaby in particular? Always wondered why there are so many crows near the still creek area.

[@makoose2598]

I was told Still Creek where they flock to used to be a landfill way back when and crows have a great memory that’s passed down generation to generation….kinda makes sense

[@thelastdefenderofcamelot5623]

Every morning they go to west to search for food and then in the evening they all fly back east.

[@Bunny11344]

I didn’t know crows go to Burnaby to roost but when I saw them all I thought it was some kind of morbid sign 😅

[@DA-js7xz]

A place that used to be a forest and was heartlessly ripped down for industrial sprawl.

[@123jaera]

!!!

[@Carolus_Tsang]

Why do they roost there and not somewhere less urban like Central Park or Burnaby Mountain instead? Surely they don't rest well with the traffic and city life around them on that street.

[@thelastdefenderofcamelot5623]

Maybe it's because there are industries like McDonalds, BCIT, Costco nearby that produces a lot of food waste. I've seen crows in Burnaby dig up lawns for worms when they're desperate.

[@matter9]

They were there first. All the developments around still creek, the useless car dealerships … all our doing and habitat destruction. I’ve no idea how long they’ve called still creek home but I’d wager at the least decades before all the development, if not centuries.

[@thisisme1999]

I remember back in the 1960s going through that area and there were buildings but a lot more trees and they were there then.

[@Carolus_Tsang]

@@matter9 I find it strange that they didn't move to somewhere less affected by human development as people moved in. Normally many animals would shift their habitat in response to habitat loss from human development.

[@shubhujoshi]

My mom got scared while seeing this video

[@hap5215]

Any scientific theories / studies done why crows have chosen Burnaby ?

[@shubhujoshi]

My mom is scared of crows

[@bradene-a4182]

We live in a murder of crows and it’s cute :))

[@yougoof]

Alot of birds do this.

[@441rider]

CBCyou missed the Why? nice filming but zero nature story.

[@Drunkmonk1992]

man was duped!

[@TheMcGritz]

Bruh this footage sucked lol.. the angle from the highway is crazy if you ever get to witness it on the way eastbound

[@shubhujoshi]

😂

[@Mmmhmmsuggah]

Toss them a couple unsalted cashews

[@fluffballfelipe]

lol

[@kforest2745]

Beautiful birds but what they surely come across in cities is ugly they’re better off in the countryside too bad they’re more of a scavenger

[@Drunkmonk1992]

I do not trust the crows...

[@vinnartaigh2076]

Commie Broadcasting Collective won the Bovine Scatology Virtuoso Award

[@nicoleaho7262]

Why and what was the point of this video about ________ crows going to a spot that's quiet who cares this was pointless. Crows are a very annoying bird beside the seagulls

[@danielk869]

From bc and at dusk you can see them flying home

[@DuehheeDjdjkdodkdk-qr7ij]

What the hell was this video. Half of it had nothing to do with crows. And the stupid flashing images almost triggered my epilepsy