Blessed Mayhem,  Crows,  Mayhem Series,  SILENT MAYHEM,  Wildlife

Why Would American Crows Do THAT?

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In my quest to change people’s perception of American Crows (all crows, really, but mine are American Crows, the largest of the species), I like to find interesting tidbits to share that illustrate a crow’s inherent nature and unparalleled brilliance. This is another of those posts. 😉

A few days ago, my curiosity piqued when I was watching Poe shake her tail feathers in the yard, and I noticed she always did it three times upon landing. And I thought, gee, why not two or four? There must be a reason. What’s the significance of three? Could it simply align with the multiples of three found in nature? Or did the tail feather flick mean something specific?

It’s worth noting that Poe has an unmistakable swagger. Those sleek black hips sway more than a Victoria’s Secret model on the runway, so a part of me wondered if she was just feeling a little more amorous. Maybe Edgar (her mate) got lucky the night before? But I soon saw Allan and Thoreau (Poe’s two eldest sons) doing the same thing—and always three shakes.

Here’s What I Discovered

Much like a dog, a tail flitter could mean Poe’s happy to see me. Or, more likely, she was excited about her flat-topped rock overflowing with breakfast. Crows will only shake their tail feathers upon landing in a safe territory. This behavior is done one to three times, according to their level of excitement, kind of like a human happy dance.

Which made sense (although, I’d love it if Poe was wagging her tail for me), because after everyone had eaten a few peanuts, corn, kibble, and leftover chicken, they gave me the most beautiful aerial display. Six crows soaring by the windows, flipping over to expose the underside of their wings and back again. It’s no secret that I love these stunts, evident by my reactions…

“Ooh, so nice. Great job, Shakespeare! Aww, thank you, Poe. My gorgeous black beauties, you’re amazing!”

They really are a bunch of hams. The more praise they get, the better the show. Even after I returned to the living room they found me through the dome windows and proceeded with an encore performance. By then the food was gone, so the “after show” likened to begging for seconds. So smart!

Recognizing Males from Females

While researching the tail feather flick I stumbled across a cool explanation for how to tell a female American Crow from a male. You need to get close enough (or use binoculars), but the subtle differences are there. Look for the downward curve of the bill. For males, it starts about 2/3rds of the way out, halfway for females. Males also tend to have deeper voices than females.

A Misnomer About American Crows

Why Would American Crows Do THAT?Some people say, all their colorful birds left when the crows moved in. But that doesn’t make any sense. Rather than blame the corvid, take a moment to look at this reasonably. If the crow hadn’t eaten that robin egg, chances are the egg or young chick would not have survived anyway. American Crows are but one of a host of other species preying on “desirable” wildlife, and removing them from your yard won’t change a thing.

A number of studies have been done to show that the removal of crows does NOT increase nest success or survival of other birds. If the American Crow wasn’t there, some other predator would step up to eat the same number of eggs and young birds, or they’ll die for other reasons.

This idea of compensatory mortality is difficult for people to believe. Common sense would say, if you get rid of one source of mortality than the overall mortality rate should go down. But in fact, the world doesn’t work that way. I found an excellent analogy from the researchers at Cornwell University, who, among other things, proved American Crows could recognize individual faces in a crowd.

Think about handicapped parking spaces at the mall.

“You drive up to the mall, looking for a parking space in a crowded lot. You can’t find a parking space, but there are four near the entrance that are reserved for handicapped permits only. You complain and think that if only those handicapped restrictions weren’t there, you could park in those spots (common sense). In truth, of course, if those spaces were not reserved, they would have been taken long ago, just like all the other spaces in the lot.

“So, if one more egg hatches, that will be one more nestling that gets eaten by a raccoon. Or if one more nestling makes it out of the nest, that’s one more fledgling for the local Cooper’s Hawk to eat. Or, if one more young bird survives to fly to South America, that’s one more bird that falls into the ocean during the bad storm (1001 dying instead of 1000). And so on and so on.”

This concept of compensatory mortality is vital to game management. So, if the crow takes an egg or young hatchling from a nest, s/he’s taking it within the limits of the mortality that normally occurs, and NOTHING happens to the overall population. Of course, if the sources of mortality increase in an unusual way (huge losses in habitat, for instance, or total loss of food supply) then bad things can occur. But the normal fluctuations of a stable community just absorb these slight interruptions. It’s actually a lot more stressful for the homeowner than the bird who lost her young.

So, although you might see an American Crow eating a baby robin or stealing an egg, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Most baby robins die before reaching adulthood. Hence why robins nest so many times during the summer. The presence of crows does NOT equal the extinction of all the robins, cardinals, or other colorful birds in your yard. In fact, having crows around will help your population. Crows chase away predators, like hawks, and keep small birds and furry critters safe.

When American Crows move in, the other birds don’t leave. In my yard, the chippies, squirrels, cardinals, grosbeaks, nuthatches, woodpeckers, etc., have learned to trust the crows with their survival. Crows are the first to warn when danger is approaching. Blue Jays are also great guard-birds, but they will use the warning signal to clear the yard for extra treats, so they’re not nearly as reliable as their sleek black cousins.

As an aside: well-fed crows won’t bother stealing hatchlings. I instituted a “rule” in my yard — as long as everyone gets along, the food source will never dry up. And y’know what? No one has ever broken this rule. I’ve seen a few glares being tossed around, usually by one of the fledglings when chippies are circling their talons and muscling in on the peanuts. As soon as that crow catches me staring back with the don’t-you-dare-look in my eyes, they immediately feign innocence. Peace is restored.

American Crows Tell Time

Why Would American Crows Do THAT?On average, American Crows live between 17-21 years in the wild, if they make it past their first birthday. Young crows have a 50% survival rate due to various reasons, including contracting the West Nile Virus. Once they live past that first year, American Crows have the ability to live a long life — 30, 40, even 50 years! — but sadly, most don’t. The oldest recorded wild American Crow lived to 39.

Because American Crows live for such a long time, it’s vitally important that they develop the ability to remember and learn. Not only can crows acquire an extremely large amount of information but they even remember when and where people put out the trash, or which days of the week hunters are more likely to bring home a freshly killed deer. At Barnstable High School on Cape Cod, the custodians took out the lunch trash in the early afternoon every day. The crows in the area caught on and now wait anxiously as the appointed hour approaches.

In Sweden, crows are cleaning the streets of garbage. The government setup crow vending machines. When the crow drops a cigarette butt or bottle cap into the machine, a peanut pops out as a reward. Ingenious idea!

In my yard, Poe and family (nine total) arrive at 8:00 a.m. every morning — plenty of time to safeguard the yard before their 8:30 a.m. feeding. If I’m running late, even by a few minutes, they’re not shy about peering through the windows. “Excuse me. Mind moving things along? We’re starving to death out here.” LOL Such drama queens.

The Beauty of American Crows

Crows may not be as aesthetically pleasing to some, but to me, they’re the most beautiful birds of all. Common Ravens are also easy on my eyes; they’re also incredibly intelligent. That said, no other wild bird has such a human-like personality and social system as American Crows. And, in the right light, you can spot an entire kaleidoscope of colors in their shiny black plumage.

So, the next time you look out your window, remember this: you don’t have a “gang” of crows in your yard; you’re looking at a family. Think of crows as the guardian angels of your yard.

May you all have a joyous holiday season. xoxo

Sue Coletta is an award-winning crime writer and an active member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. Feedspot and Expertido.org named her Murder Blog as “Best 100 Crime Blogs on the Net.” She also blogs on the Kill Zone (Writer's Digest "101 Best Websites for Writers"), Writers Helping Writers, and StoryEmpire. Sue lives with her husband in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Her backlist includes psychological thrillers, the Mayhem Series (books 1-3) and Grafton County Series, and true crime/narrative nonfiction. Now, she exclusively writes eco-thrillers, Mayhem Series (books 4-9 and continuing). Sue's appeared on the Emmy award-winning true crime series, Storm of Suspicion, and three episodes of A Time to Kill on Investigation Discovery. When she's not writing, she loves spending time with her murder of crows, who live free but come when called by name. And nature feeds her soul.

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30 Comments

    • Sue Coletta

      December 12, 2019 at 5:25 AM

      You’re right, Suzanne. Crows have dozens of calls, each a little different and used for different things. They even have names for the people they love — a distinct call reserved only for that one soul who feeds them. It took me a couple years to figure out “my name,” but when I hear it now, it’s the best sound ever.

      I’ve read about crows soaking hard foods to soften them, but I’ve never seen it. Poe and family just tear into it. 😂 I really need to get them a birdbath next spring, so they can soak whatever they want.

      From my crow family to yours, happy holidays. ❤️

  • Elizabeth Varadan

    December 3, 2019 at 1:17 PM

    This was as terrific post. I learned so much. I already knew crows were highly intelligent, but I didn’t realize how much so. It’s nice to learn they are more protective of nature’s status quo than purely predatory.

  • Erin Liles

    December 3, 2019 at 10:50 AM

    I would love to have some crows in my yard! I am an avid birdwatcher, and I’ve got plenty of feeders up, but I’ve only seen crows in my neighborhood once. I heard them cawing from the front room in my house, so I went to investigate and found four or five crows in a neighbor’s tree a few houses down. I guess they were just passing through. Do you know of any tricks to attracting them?

    • Sue Coletta

      December 3, 2019 at 10:53 AM

      Absolutely, Erin! Crows cannot resist peanuts in the shell (unsalted). Sprinkle a few in your yard and the nieghborhood crows will be along shortly. Just be sure to replenish the peanuts after the Jays steal them, because they’re notorious for that. 😉 Good luck!
      Sue Coletta recently posted…Why Would American Crows Do THAT?My Profile

  • Roland R Clarke

    December 2, 2019 at 4:51 PM

    I love your American Crow posts as I’m a corvid fan. In fact, my WIP has a jackdaw as a key supporting character, called Negesydd – Welsh for ‘messenger’. My Welsh detective calls him that.

    He’s modelled on the jackdaws who regularly visited our garden when we lived in North Wales. Along with the neighbouring crows, they were often doing aerial aerobatics to mob the local Red Kites. On one occasion, a cuckoo attempted to move in – lay an egg – but the corvid clan drove her away. There were also rooks further afield so lots of corvid antics to watch and admire.
    Roland R Clarke recently posted…#IWSG – Rabbit WarrenMy Profile

    • Sue Coletta

      December 3, 2019 at 6:55 AM

      What a nice way to keep your memories alive, Roland. No crows where you are now? The cuckoo “incident” must’ve been tough. We don’t have anything as exotic around here. I bet a cuckoo would be fun to watch, too bad the jackdaws saw her as a threat. While watching the crow vs. hawk fights I’m a nervous wreck. Some of those hawks are enormous! But crows are fearless. Just amazing.

      I can’t imagine living without crows. They’ve become such important family members, even though they live free. All I have to do is call for Poe, and into the yard she soars. My neighbors used to think I was crazy, but even they can’t deny the prompt response. It’s the highlight of my day. ❤
      Sue Coletta recently posted…Why Would American Crows Do THAT?My Profile

  • Craig Scott

    December 2, 2019 at 9:27 AM

    Glad to know I’m not the only one who has befriended my local dark-feathered Neighbourhood Watch wardens. Here we have a family of ravens who keep an eye on thing and like you, I’ve named the parents Nevermore and Lenore. Nevermore is enormous, and has a particularly raspy caw that sounds like he smokes too much.

    It’s always a joy when they land on my balcony.

    • Sue Coletta

      December 2, 2019 at 9:33 AM

      Love the names, Craig! We have a mating pair of ravens who visit us, Odin and Ophelia. This year they brought their youngin to meet us. Odin, however, is the only one who’ll hang out on our deck railing. Before he takes his treat off the perch he’ll gronk to thank us. So smart!
      Sue Coletta recently posted…Why Would American Crows Do THAT?My Profile

  • Margot Kinberg

    December 2, 2019 at 7:14 AM

    What a fascinating post, Sue! Crow vending machines?! My mind is officially blowing here. And the rest of the post is great, too. I didn’t know that about the tail feathers or, for the matter of that, about the differences between males and females. Very interesting stuff!

  • Debbie Burke

    December 2, 2019 at 6:57 AM

    Sue, I ALWAYS learn the most interesting tidbits from you! Crow vending machines? Thirty-nine year old crows? Do they start to go gray at that point? 🙂 Thanks for a fun, informative post!

    • Sue Coletta

      December 2, 2019 at 9:16 AM

      Thanks, Debbie! Strangely enough, I don’t believe crows lose their color as they age. Which makes it difficult to estimate their age, unless you’re lucky enough to have a mating pair in your yard. Poe and Edgar started coming around before their first brood. Since females don’t mate till they’re 3 and males wait till they’re 4 or 5, it gives me some perimeters to go by. 🙂
      Sue Coletta recently posted…Why Would American Crows Do THAT?My Profile

  • Joan Hall

    December 2, 2019 at 6:38 AM

    Crows are extremely intelligent. When I was a child, our zoo had a talking crow who could mimic and say several words.

    Once, during a snowstorm, I tried to feed some smaller birds on the patio of our apartment. Crows kept coming to eat the food and I would run them off. (Sorry). They had one sitting in a tree to watch. I thought I had hidden and after a while, no crows came. I thought I had been successful until I sat down in my comfy chair. Immediately, the crows descended on the patio again. By that time, I figured if they were that patient and that smart, they deserved to eat.

  • Priscilla Bettis

    December 2, 2019 at 5:43 AM

    Whoa, crow vending machines? How cool is that? Thanks for explaining the difference between the males and females. When I take the dog for a walk later today, I’m going to see if I can put that new knowledge to use.
    Priscilla Bettis recently posted…5 Non SequitursMy Profile

  • Garry Rodgers

    December 2, 2019 at 1:42 AM

    Since you and I became buddies, Sue, I’ve spent a lot more time watching crows. Not that these birds haven’t been around Mister Rodgers neighborhood all the time – I just didn’t pay much attention to what I thought was a freeloading flock of feathers that didn’t contribute much to the commonwealth.

    I’m wrong and this piece proves it. These guys are highly organized and, if criminals, they’d be benevolent Hells Angels equivalents. We’ve got three distinct charters here. I see them daily. The Southgate Chapter covers the early shift and usually flies by with a few check-in stops. The Downtown Bunch holds the waterfront – probably linked to longshore interests. But, it’s the Nob Hill Gang that muscles in the park by my house.

    These guys number around a hundred, and they own the ‘hood. You can set your atomic clock on 10am and 2pm when they hold church. But, their biker-like clique has a soft side, like you say. Once the Nobs show up, out come the squirrels, the chickadees, the towhees, and even the little hummingbirds.

    Eagles, ravens, hawks and ospreys sit to the side while the crow-ride happens. Makes me think back to my policing days when we considered the HAs as being ultimately good for our community’s peace and commonwealth 🙂

    • Sue Coletta

      December 2, 2019 at 9:21 AM

      Hahahaha. Great analogy, Garry! Crows definitely claim and defend their territories, so you’re not far off. Next time you go for your walk, take a few peanuts with you. Once they memorize your face as a “good face” you’ll get to experience their lovey side. 🙂
      Sue Coletta recently posted…Why Would American Crows Do THAT?My Profile