Crows in Wildlife: 6 Amazing Facts About This Creative Bird

Crows are often considered vigilant and frightening, associated with many beliefs about them. However, reports show that crows are actually creative and intelligent birds.

Understanding these birds can offer new insights into their survival. There are about 43 species of crows, but they are known to be peculiar for urban dwellers and interesting for nature lovers.

Despite its small size, it is skilled at hunting and surviving threats from commercialization, climate change, vehicle collisions, disease spread, and hunting. Here are six amazing facts about them.

1. Appearance and Trait

From their black feathers and watchful eyes, crows look secretive in appearance. The bird's slender bodies and sharp beaks allow them to be competitive in searching for food and navigating new habitats.

Reports show that crows can use various techniques to acquire food, including scavenging, hunting, and stealing from other animals. They could follow the tracks of potential prey to steal from their nests.

In terms of the food they like most, crows are considered omnivorous. They can consume anything to survive. Records reveal that they could eat 600 different food items!

2. Environment and Habitat

Crows are open about their habitats. They are found in urban areas, including farmland, forests, grasslands, mountains, and deserts. The most common places they stay in are open fields.

As alert birds, they could associate noises and sounds with potential threats. When they are ready to eat, one crow watches for any predators. They are always in huge flocks during winter and fall.

Although crows could create nesting in different areas, the report explains that it has lower nesting success in human-populated communities.

3. They could use tools and unique vocalizations

Besides being alert, crows are recognized by their intelligence in the animal kingdom. In the South Pacific, researchers studied the New Caledonian crows, which showed a unique ability to build and use tools.

In addition, studies found that crows could potentially employ compound tools to look for food.

4. Memory Masters

There is no doubt that crows are memory masters and intelligent. Research reveals that the bird has the potential to solve puzzles when looking for potential food sources.

Additionally, the small bird has an active working memory to remember relevant information. Crows can also recognize human faces and likely hold a grudge when they are hurt or threatened!

For every region, crows possess different dialects. For their food, they could hide in secure areas.

5. Threats

Although intelligent and alert, crows have suffered threats from predators like hawks, raccoons, eagles, owls, and squirrels.

Furthermore, widespread urbanization poses a significant threat to crows and other species. Crows are also at risk of disease exposure.

Also Read: More 4,000 Species Affected By Worldwide Wildlife Trafficking, UN Report Says

6. Funeral for their kind and mate for life

Some reports note that crows could hold 'funerals' for their kind that dies. Despite being scared from afar, crows love their partners, and they will mate for life.