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Crows are frequently associated with dark and gloomy things such as death, but there’s more to these fascinating creatures than meets the eye.
In this second edition of our 6 Cool Crow Facts series, we look at even more amazing facts about these birds that will make you appreciate them even more. So, without further ado, here are six more interesting crow facts!
Continue reading to learn more about them!
6 Cool Crow Facts
Crow Fact #1
The carrion crow is a cunning bird that knows how to get its way. In Japan, these crows have learned about hard-shelled nuts, as well as tasty treats like walnuts being placed at road intersections for them by passing vehicles, so they can wait until someone else does the work of cracking it open and eating its delicious insides!
The clever crow distributes food by using traffic lights. The bird will frequently wait until they turn red before swooping down and dropping an uncracked nut on the road; when green appears, it takes off again to watch its offerings being run over by vehicles from afar – even if this means that there may not be another opportunity for a while!
The carrion crow is not the only bird observed engaging in this behavior. Other corvids, such as the American crow, as well as other crows and ravens, have shown similar characteristics in California.
Crow Fact #2
You might have seen crows on the side of the road, watching as cars go by. It turns out that these crows might be smarter than you think – they may be able to recognize human faces.
In a study published in the journal PLOS One, researchers found that crows were able to remember human faces after just a single glance. The crows were more likely to remember the faces of people who had previously fed them, but they were also able to remember the faces of strangers.
Crows have been shown to be intelligent before; they can also solve complex problems and use tools. However, this study demonstrates that crows can remember specific human faces, implying that they may be able to learn and remember other important information about people.
Crow Fact #3
Crows are well-known for being intelligent birds with a knack for intelligence, but did you know they’re also skilled toolmakers? The New Caledonian crow (Corvus moneduloides) is one of only two species on the planet that can make its own hooks in the wild—and it uses materials found nearby!
The New Caledonian crow is a unique bird with a bill that does not curve down like most other birds’ bills. For years, this peculiarity went unnoticed, but scientists now believe it evolved to assist the avian in better grasping tools and seeing what they are doing, allowing their tool-using skills to be more efficient and successful!
According to recent studies conducted by scientists in St. Andrews University’s ornithology department, the New Caledonian crow and the ultra-rare Hawaiian variety of corvids are both adept at using tools!
Crow Fact #4
Crows are well-known for their intelligence. They are not only capable of solving complex puzzles, but they are also excellent team players. When it comes to defending themselves against predators, this teamwork comes in handy.
Crows will frequently swarm on predators and attack them as a group. The crow’s sharp beaks can do a lot of damage, so this can be very effective. Furthermore, the crow’s intelligence allows them to devise strategies for hunting their prey. They could, for example, try to confuse the predator by flying in different directions or dive-bombing it from above.
Crow Fact #5
Crows know a thing or two about controlling their impulses. In one experiment, crows were given either a tray of food they could eat right away or a slightly more desirable tray of food that would become available after a delay. The crows unanimously chose to wait for better food.
When you think about it, this isn’t all that surprising. Crows are astute birds that understand that if they can wait a little longer, they will be rewarded.
What’s fascinating is that crows appear to understand the concept of delayed gratification, even when the delay is very short. Crows were offered a tray of food with a one-second delay in another study, and they still chose to wait for the better food.
So, what gives crows their ability to postpone gratification? One theory is that delayed gratification is necessary for survival. Crows that can wait for better food have a better chance of survival than crows that cannot.
However, there could be another reason why crows are good at delaying gratification. Crows are social animals, and they may be able to learn how to wait for better food from one another. In fact, there is some evidence that crows can learn how to delay gratification from one another.
So, what does this all mean for crows? It means that crows are intelligent birds with a strong grasp of impulse control. Crows that can delay gratification have a better chance of surviving and thriving in the wild.
Crow Fact #6
“Murder” is derived from the Old English word “morðor,” which means “mortal sin.” It was used to refer to crows for the first time in a written record in 1852.
People have used the term in a variety of ways since then. Some people use it to refer to a group of crows of the same age. Others use it to refer to any group of crows, whether they are related or not.
While it is true that you can call a swarm of crows a murder, some scientists would prefer you not do so.
Scientists avoid using the term “murder” because it is ambiguous and can mean different things to different people. A group of crows is referred to as a “corvid flock” or a “crow family” by them.
In most cases, a crow murder is committed by family members who grew up together. They collaborate to protect their territory and food sources from other birds and animals.
Crows protect their territory by murdering other animals. Intruders are also scared away by their loud calls and aggressive behavior.
Conclusion
So there you have it: six more interesting crow facts to help you win at your next trivia night. If you haven’t yet, check out part one too!
As always, if you have any crow-related questions or observations, please leave them in the comments section below!
