The Intelligence Of Crows
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The Crow: A Very Misunderstood Bird
The crow is a bird sleek black in color with inquisitive eyes, a loping gait, and an intelligence level that far outreaches that of their lighter colored winged brethren.
The crow has long been recognized for its intelligence in outwitting humans who try to ban its access to acquiring an easy meal. But lately it is the crow's ability to make and to use tools that has been acquiring this bird a great deal of attention and scientific study.
One of the defining characteristics of being human is the ability to make and use tools. Two other creatures share the second place spot for their capabilities in this same talent and these creatures are the chimpanzee and the Crow. Crows are intelligent enough to actually have accomplished one of the abilities which defines being classed as a human being. Crows have the ability to make and to use tools.
The crow is a bird well worthy of our respect and admiration but instead crows are frequently misrepresented, misunderstood, and unfortunately also treated inhumanely by those who do not understand them.
Lone Crow...
Crow facts: Incubation of crow eggs:
Crow Hand Puppet (With Squeaker in Beak)
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Crows are very family orientated. The eggs will incubate for about 16 to 18 days before hatching. Crow chicks are born naked, and defenseless, with just a few sparse tufts of feathers on their body. Both parents as well as any older offspring will work toward building a family nest and caring for the young.
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Crows play a major role in our folklore, heritage, and history.
Crow families can be comprised of between 12 and 15 birds...
Raven - Collectible Figurine Statue Sculpture Figure Crow Bird Model
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Crows mate for life. Young crows stay with their parents generally till they acquire a mate of their own between the age of two and five. Older siblings will help care for younger siblings while they remain in the family nest. When you notice a flock of between 3 and 15 crows you are usually viewing a crow family rather than a grouping of gang crow members.
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A pair of crows....
The owl is a natural predator of crows and crows are smart enough be afraid of them.
Use humane methods of removing crows from your area.
The Intelligence Level Of Crows:
![By Konstantin Zamkov (Flickr: Crows) [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons By Konstantin Zamkov (Flickr: Crows) [CC-BY-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](http://i2.squidoocdn.com/resize/squidoo_images/250/draft_lens2127371module11017167photo_1327845230crow-bird-nature.jpg)
Studies have shown that crows will examine different tool options given to them, and will not only choose a tool that is of the correct length or width for the assigned task, but they will also design a tool of the correct design and dimension if it is necessary for them to do so.
Crows will use sticks to acquire bugs, or other elusive food from small cracks or crevices, and they will even whittle sticks to make them thinner if this is the type of tool needed for the job. Crows have even successfully bent a piece of wire into a hook when it was required to retrieve the food which they were attempting to acquire.
Crow facts: Intelligent Crow language tricks....
18" Artificial Feathered Black Crow with Black Feet
Amazon Price: $36.49 (as of 02/13/2012)![]()
Always watching and learning the intelligent Crow can and will mimic certain calls of other birds, animals, and even humans. The crow is a very intelligent bird and should be appreciated for his natural wit and amazing ability to learn.
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A Crow Lookout Point...
A Crow's dark color tricks their predators into thinking they are a shadow...
Raven on Skull Collectible Bird Crow Skeleton Figurine Statue Model
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 02/13/2012)![]()
Despite the impending dark gloomy messages associated with crows this bird is actually not a very good killer. The crows beak is very dull, and unable to break through the thick skin of most animals. Although the crow does consume a large amount of roadkill the crow must count on the vehicle, or another animal, to puncture the carcass so they are able to consume it.
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Respect the other creatures who share this planet with us...
Crow facts: An Innovative and Creative Bird
When it comes to acquiring a meal the crow has devised amazing means of safely taking advantage of foods sources that are available to them.
Crows have learned to drop hard shelled nuts onto sidewalks or road pavement to crack them, and if this isn't successful, then this intelligent black bird aims the nut directly into a direct line of traffic so a passing vehicle will crack the nut for them. In addition to this, the crows have learned to watch changing traffic lights and pedestrian crossing signals for safe time periods in which to retrieve their meal without the danger of being run over by passing vehicles.
Crows memorize garbage routes and will show up on garbage delivery day. Crows are a bird that understands and remember time periods that will enable them to acquire the freshest meals. There is even some evidence that crows have the ability to recognize the concept of numbers. Rumor has it that when a certain number of hunters are pursuing them, they will wait for all of the hunters to leave the area, before they come out from hiding.
A social bird, crows pass on the skills they have learned to their offspring, as well as to others in their group who might benefit from the knowledge.
Motion sensor owl for scaring crows from the garden:
Easy Gardener 8021 Garden Defense Electronic Sensor Owl
Amazon Price: $29.49 (as of 02/13/2012)![]()
Crows are very intelligent creatures and like most wilderness creatures are always on the look out for their next meal. Crows cannot read the territory boundary signs that we humans set for each other. So they feel free to help themselves to whatever Earth's bounty presents itself to them. Use humane methods of setting boundaries for wildlife.
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Motion activated sensor scare crow to scare away crows:
Contech CR101 Scarecrow Spray Away Deer & Animal Repeller
Amazon Price: $49.95 (as of 02/13/2012)![]()
This motion sensor scare crow is a humane way to scare crows, dogs, cats, deer, and other unwanted creatures away from your garden, flowerbed, or lawn. The motion activated scare crow delivers a short powerful burst of water in the direction of the intruder. This item is not only effective, and humane, but it is also rather amusing to watch.
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Invite a few birds to chow down at your place...
Family Values That More Than A Few Humans Could Take Lessons From:

Like most birds, crows have strong family values, and when they win over their chosen companion they will generally stay together for life.
Crows are social creatures who are very devoted to their family units. Crows mate for life. The crows young will stay with the family for up to five years and generally leave the family nest after they have acquired a mate of their own. Crows will fiercely defend their own family unit and will also come to the aide of other crows in distress.
During the winter crows have a natural tendency to form communal crow groups to keep each other warm. These groups can be anywhere from a few dozen birds to hundreds of thousands of birds and it is a system built to insure the safety and survival of their species. Although these communal crow groups may seem frightening to some individuals, it is actually quite common for a variety of bird species to use numbers to increase their safety. Geese are a prime example of this trait in other bird populations.
Often considered a pest because of their natural tendency to congregate in large groups at local feeding spots, it is actually the crows black coloring which most often creates fear, and false assumptions about this bird. Black is a color often associated with negative assumptions such as death, gloom, doom, pessimism, unhappiness, foreboding, evil or the bad guy in the whole scenario.
The color black is actually a natural defense for protecting the crow from it's enemies. Owls and hawks are the crows primary predators and it is the crows black coloring which offers it invisibility to these enemies. Owls hunting at night are less likely to see the dark colored crow, and when hawks search for a meal in the light of daytime, a crow roosting in a tree will look more like a shadow than a meal.
Use humane crow-bird-animal-removal methods...
Crows just hanging out.
Cooing softly almost like a dove - must be love.
Getting closer to each other. Still cooing like a dove.
Ah! A crow kiss. Definitely crows in love.
I had heard cooing and when I looked up it was actually 2 crows in love....so sweet.
What's your opinion...
Invite a bird to visit your backyard...
The Intelligent Urban Crow...

It is mainly in urban areas where groups of crows run into difficulties. As more and more urban areas offer up easily acquired food, the adaptable crow moves closer to man, and closer to misunderstandings and danger.
Within cities their use of garbage as a food source has individuals and entire communities angered. In rural areas farmers often blame the crow for crop failures.
Crows do like to dine on a fine meal of cherries, or corn, but they also enjoy a number of tasty treats that it is in our best interest to have them consume. Crows actual consume a vast array of insects, and other waste material such as decaying vegetation or rotting roadkill, that would otherwise be harmful to ourselves and our environment. A crow earns it's place in our society by cleaning up carrion and waste grain matter. We just have to learn to give the Crow a little credit.
Eyes twinkling with intelligence the innovative crow stands out from other species, and perhaps this is what really frightens those who oppose it and hunt it. The crow is indeed a highly intelligent bird.
As for myself, I greatly admire the crow, and all of the character that it has to offer up to our world. I tip my hat to this bird, and hope that after reading this article, that you too will give a Crow a little credit for being the intelligent creature that it is.
Note: Crows are very sensitive to the effects of the West Nile Virus and this illness could drastically reduce their numbers in the future.
Other bird members of the Crow Family (Corvidae):
- Crow
- Sleek black, inquisitive, and intelligent black bird.
- Rook
- Similar to your average crow but the Rook has white skin surrounding it's beak area.
- Raven
- Similar in appearance to your average crow but of a larger build.
- Jackdaw
- One of the smallest members of the crow family. Dark feathered as is his kin the crow.
- Magpie
- The magpie can be black and white or brightly colored. Generally displays a long tail feather.
- Treepie
- A long tailed bird similar to the magpie.
- Jay
- Unlike it's black relative the jay can be quite vividly colored. The jay is generally medium in size, and much alike the crow, it can be quite a loud vocal bird.
- Nutcracker
- Small sized bird of the crow family. The nutcracker can be multicolored.
- Chough
- Medium build generally black bird. The chough can have either a red or yellow bill, and be completely black, or black and white.
The game of Rook...
Rook
Amazon Price: $5.59 (as of 02/13/2012)![]()
The game of Rook has been around for over 100 years. Featuring the Rook, proud member of the crow family, Rook is a card game which can be played by both young and old.
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The game of Rook is one very old time card game...
Protect your yard and garden naturally...
The latest crow news...
- ASU President Michael Crow makes a bold stand
- 12, 2012 05:34 PM Arizona State President Michael Crow has taken a bold stand, proposing to blow up the Bowl Championship Series. Crow not only wants a college football playoff, he's going all in with a proposal for an eight-team tournament.
- Beefed-up Porps rested for Crows trial
- JASON Porplyzia's much-awaited comeback to the Crows attack and perhaps midfield is on hold. The gamebreaker, who has played just five minutes of AFL football in the past 18 months, will stand out of Adelaide's internal trial at AAMI Stadium tomorrow ...
- Crow hunt causes a flap in Schuyler County
- Cornell University ornithologist Kevin McGowan gives a ?crow appreciation talk? Saturday at the Montour Falls Library. By Derrick Ek American crows are highly intelligent, fascinating creatures, Cornell University ornithologist Kevin McGowan told ...
- ASU President Michael Crow makes a bold stand
- 12, 2012, under Arizona Republic Sports Arizona State President Michael Crow has taken a bold stand, proposing to blow up the Bowl Championship Series. Crow not only wants a college football playoff, he's going all in with a proposal for an eight-team ...
Be kind to our feathered friends...
Drop by my logs, blogs, and other opinionated ramblings...
Respect the animals we share this planet with. They have much to share...
Honey is indeed one of life's little miracle foods, we should all consider keeping an ample supply of it in the medicine cabinet, in addition to keeping it within the kitchen cupboard. You never know when you will need the protective properties that it holds within it.
More powerful than commercially produced cough syrups for the relief of the common cold, a teaspoon of honey dissolved in warm water will diminish cough symptoms and sooth an inflamed throat...The medicinal properties of honey.
Wildlife theme gift ideas....
Stuffed Plush Raccoon Wildlife Toy
Plush stuffed raccoon toys are as cute as the furry masked bandits that they are modeled after. Raccoons are well know for their curious nature and the mischief they get into because of it.
Their antics, and the black mask which surrounds their eyes, has rightfully earned them the title of a masked bandit....Stuffed Plush Raccoon Wildlife Toy.
Sometimes we just have to look at life a little differently...
Using your back yard as an inspiration for writing
A writer's thoughts are a little different from those of other individuals. Writers are just always naturally looking for those tiny little pieces of life and living that will become the basis for their next article or story line.
Little mental notes made, and tucked away, to be used at a later date. No opportunity is left unnoticed; even the simple task of yard chores on a sunny summer day, to a writer, means using your back yard as an inspiration for writing....Using your back yard as an inspiration for writing.
Why are mosquitoes attracted to some people more than others?

If it seems that mosquitoes seek you out more often than they do other individuals, well you may not be imagining things, they really may find you to be a more attractive target than the fellow standing next to you.
When searching for their next meal mosquitoes are definitely more attracted to some people than they are to others. Specific individuals are sought out, and dined on much more frequently than their counterparts....Why are mosquitoes attracted to some people more than others?
What is your opinion of crows and their kinfolk?
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Jewelsofawe
Feb 11, 2012 @ 2:09 pm | delete
- It was interesting to learn about the crow. I never gave them alot of thought until this lens.
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MareeT
Feb 3, 2012 @ 3:35 pm | delete
- Very interesting and informative lens! One of the best!
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Edutopia
Jan 31, 2012 @ 5:45 am | delete
- I've always had a soft spot for crows. They are really fascinating creatures and this was a good lens to showcase that.
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Tipi
Jan 29, 2012 @ 8:17 pm | delete
- I'm pleased to return with a congratulations on your victory blessing, big party...BIG!
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Tipi
Jan 29, 2012 @ 8:17 pm | delete
- I'm pleased to return with a congratulations on your victory blessing, big party...BIG!
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fanfreluche
Jan 17, 2012 @ 11:30 am | delete
- A second visit for me here, with a blessing. Crows are really fascinating creatures.
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COUNTRYLUTHIER
Dec 26, 2011 @ 11:06 pm | delete
- I think they are incredible animals that make you laugh. Thanks for sharing, the world would not be the same without them.
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karmicchristian
Dec 13, 2011 @ 4:41 am | delete
- I love to watch and feed these birds. IMO, they are greatly misunderstood and they indeed are very intelligent. Lovely lens!
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manicnymph
Nov 22, 2011 @ 12:07 am | delete
- I have always admired the crow for its beauty and intelligence. I saw a great documentary by David Suzuki called 'A Murder of Crows', very fascinating. The Madagascar crow can put four events together to get to an end result, which even a chimp cannot do. I am glad you're showing these lovely creatures in the light they deserve.
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tembrooke
Nov 18, 2011 @ 6:03 pm | delete
- I've always been fascinated by crows for some reason. I think they're lovely birds.
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mountainstevo
Nov 15, 2011 @ 12:45 pm | delete
- I have tons of crows in my neck of the woods.
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PaulOnBooks
Nov 5, 2011 @ 10:02 pm | delete
- Didn't have wings when I first saw this: Blessing situation now rectified :)
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spartakct
Oct 30, 2011 @ 8:44 pm | delete
- They are wonderful birds!
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monika
Oct 1, 2011 @ 7:43 pm | delete
- In Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island, Canada, where I live, we have lots of crows. I have watched them drop walnuts on the road and wait until cars drive over them. The crows will gather in large numbers on a tree or two (100 at least) and make a lot of noise. I can see how that is intimidating to us humans, especially when it's in your backyard. Crows are very smart and I think people don't like them because they're competition.
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A-Redneck
Oct 4, 2011 @ 5:52 pm | delete
- Very true. Crows are a very intelligent bird and learn what they need to well. Thank you for stopping by I enjoyed reading your story.
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Snakesmum
Sep 7, 2011 @ 11:43 pm | delete
- I think they are beautiful birds.
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dlcass
Jul 13, 2011 @ 8:47 pm | delete
- Nice lens. That video reminds me of my cat. He watches the crows in the yard every morning from the window. He talks to them. It is so weird.
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A-Redneck
Oct 4, 2011 @ 5:52 pm | delete
- Lol...do they crows notice your cat?
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Tolovaj
Jul 11, 2011 @ 9:10 pm | delete
- Crows are among the most intelligent animals and (that stands also for their relatives jays and magpies). I remember great scene from the book of Arto Paasilinna (The Year of the Hare), where man and raven competed for food. It was great reading, with a lot of humor and some sadness. Thanks for sharing your view on this often underestimated birds
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A-Redneck
Oct 4, 2011 @ 5:54 pm | delete
- Thank you for stopping by. I have never read the book which you mention but have studied crows from articles and my own personal observations. They are a very under appreciated bird.
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dogface
Jul 5, 2011 @ 11:27 am | delete
- It's amazing how intelligent some animals really are. Thanks for sharing.
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AnthonyAltorenna
Jun 28, 2011 @ 10:43 pm | delete
- Very interesting and packed with information on crow behavior. Thanks!
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A-Redneck
Jun 29, 2011 @ 9:36 am | delete
- There really is so much to learn about this very intelligent bird and I just do not think that most people give the crow the respect it deserves. It is a very wise and creative bird. Thank you so much for stopping by.
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TravelingRae
Jun 27, 2011 @ 3:06 pm | delete
- I love crows and ravens (which are genetically indistinguishable). Such a lovely, dignified bird. Thanks for a great lens about them. Loved the video of the crow making the hook!
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A-Redneck
Jun 29, 2011 @ 9:37 am | delete
- I am so glad that you enjoyed your visit to my crow article. I love your rv-ing stories. What a marvelous life.
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Respect the other creatures who wander, flutter, gallop, and slither our way...
Let Your Endorphins Out To Play
When you participate in pleasurable activities like smiling, laughing, exercising or playing, your brain does an amazing thing and releases a little chemical message known as an endorphin.
These endorphins are feel good messages that have the power to actually remove physical and emotional pain. They travel down the spine, and then throughout your body, sending a feeling of well being as they go. These endorphins not only have the ability to relieve pain but they also have the power to make you feel happy. So remember to take time to play - It really is important.
You can follow my articles on Twitter...
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Sources And Pictures For This Article Were Found At:
Crow natural historyCritter Control: American Crow Facts
Morrigan and crow
Wikipedia: Crow
http://www.orenhasson.com/EN/bait-fishing.htm
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology: American Crow
Images displayed on this article are from my family's personal photo album. Other images for this article were found at: Wikipedia: Public domain crow image, Wikipedia: Public domain crow outline picture, Karen's Whimsy: Public Domain Images, Wikipedia: Public Domain Mosquito Image.
The DMCA copyright act protects the rights of those who post information on the Internet. This act applies to all photos and information provided on this webpage.
Just In Case You Need A Second Look Around....
- Lone Crow...
- Crow facts: Incubation of crow eggs:
- A crow nest with the young babies letting mom and dad know that it is time for some food.
- Crows play a major role in our folklore, heritage, and history.
- Crow families can be comprised of between 12 and 15 birds...
- A pair of crows....
- The owl is a natural predator of crows and crows are smart enough be afraid of them.
- The Intelligence Level Of Crows:
- Creating And Using Tools: Fish hook please!
- Crow facts: Intelligent Crow language tricks....
- A Crow Lookout Point...
- A Crow's dark color tricks their predators into thinking they are a shadow...
- Respect the other creatures who share this planet with us...
- Crow facts: An Innovative and Creative Bird
- Crows Using Cars To Crack Nuts For Dinner
- Motion sensor owl for scaring crows from the garden:
- Motion activated sensor scare crow to scare away crows:
- Invite a few birds to chow down at your place...
- Family Values That More Than A Few Humans Could Take Lessons From:
- Crow adopts an abandoned kitten...
- Use humane crow-bird-animal-removal methods...
- Crows just hanging out.
- Cooing softly almost like a dove - must be love.
- Getting closer to each other. Still cooing like a dove.
- Ah! A crow kiss. Definitely crows in love.
- I had heard cooing and when I looked up it was actually 2 crows in love....so sweet.
- What's your opinion...
- Invite a bird to visit your backyard...
- The Intelligent Urban Crow...
- Other bird members of the Crow Family (Corvidae):
- The game of Rook...
- The game of Rook is one very old time card game...
- Protect your yard and garden naturally...
- The latest crow news...
- Be kind to our feathered friends...
- Drop by my logs, blogs, and other opinionated ramblings...
- Respect the animals we share this planet with. They have much to share...
- Wildlife theme gift ideas....
- Stuffed Plush Raccoon Wildlife Toy
- Sometimes we just have to look at life a little differently...
- Using your back yard as an inspiration for writing
- Why are mosquitoes attracted to some people more than others?
- What is your opinion of crows and their kinfolk?
- Respect the other creatures who wander, flutter, gallop, and slither our way...
- Let Your Endorphins Out To Play
- You can follow my articles on Twitter...
- Join Squidoo
- Sources And Pictures For This Article Were Found At:
- Crows in Mythology...
Crows in Mythology...
It is said that the Irish Phantom Queen Morrigan (goddess of battle, strife, and fertility) was known to watch warriors from overhead in the shape of a flying crow. Well can you imagine that...
by A-Redneck
I write on Redneck ideals, recipes, gifts, costumes,and lifestyle tips because Rednecks really are just plain old country minded folks.
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