Tina Brower-Kreska, Director of Red Oaks Forest School and avid bird enthusiast, shares her deep passion for crows. The discussion uncovers the remarkable intelligence of these birds and their playful behaviors through humorous anecdotes. Tina reveals the intricate relationship between crows and predators, like peregrine falcons, and highlights their urban survival strategies. She also shares personal stories about befriending crows, showcasing their uniqueness and charm. Listeners are encouraged to join in with their own crow tales!
Crows exhibit remarkable intelligence and complex social behaviors, including mobbing to protect themselves from predators and sharing playful interactions with humans.
Urban environments provide crows with abundant food sources and safer habitats, showcasing their adaptability and survival skills in response to changing conditions.
Deep dives
Crows and Their Predators
Crows face various predators, with both aerial and terrestrial threats. The peregrine falcon, although similar in size to crows, primarily hunts larger prey but could potentially prey on a crow if the opportunity arises. Owls, particularly the great horned owl, pose a significant danger, especially during the night when crows are roosting and off guard. Additionally, non-flying predators like raccoons and coyotes can also target crows, particularly their eggs or juvenile birds, showcasing the diverse threats that crows encounter in both urban and rural environments.
Urban Adaptations of Crows
Crows are increasingly adapting to urban environments for several reasons that contribute to their survival. They tend to follow garbage trucks, taking advantage of food sources that are abundant in cities, and the warmer climate during winter months provides a more hospitable habitat. The light from streetlights attracts insects, which not only benefits the crows but also creates safer conditions as their main predators, such as owls, prefer hunting in darkness. This urbanization allows crows to thrive, effectively using their intelligence to navigate challenges posed by their new surroundings.
Intelligence and Social Behavior of Crows
Crows are known for their remarkable intelligence, which includes complex social behaviors and problem-solving skills. They exhibit behaviors such as mobbing, where they band together to drive away potential threats, demonstrating their ability to work as a group to ensure safety. Stories shared by listeners highlight the playful and opportunistic nature of crows, such as stealing food from unsuspecting children or playing tricks on people. This intelligence also suggests a capacity for reciprocation in relationships, as evidenced by anecdotes of crows bringing gifts to those who have fed them, showcasing their sophisticated social interactions.
Bob and Tina record in front of a live audience to share stories about crows. This bird is easy to identify but its behavior is very complex. Find our why Tina is a crow lover and listen to some amazing stories about crows. If you have your own crow story share it on our website via speak pipe or in the comment section for this episode.
Our sources for this episode include:
Gifts of the Crow by John Marzluff and Tony Angela
Birdology by Sy Montgomery
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