Watched an EXCELLENT program yesterday evening called a "Murder of Crows" by the Nature of Things with David Suzuki. Shi, if you'll remember, you sent me that email from Cornell describing how crows can recognize faces...well this program was about this and more.

It was beautifully filmed and clearly demonstrated just how unique and intelligent crows are. Here's a bit about the show from CBC, it's supposed to be repeating this Thursday so I may try to record it to post on YouTube, it's not on there yet.

http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/2009/murderofcrows/

Here's a quick link to a short video introduction of the show: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Nature_of_Things_Promos/ID=1287274440

Yes, I remember, Brad...

I enjoyed what little I was able to see of what you posted. One of the videos said it was not available outside of Canada. Did see the promo and read the article...

Love and Hugs
Shi

I know that many of you don't share my same admiration and awe of crows but there are many reasons that I find crows to be very similar to pigeons. Both species are considered "pest" birds by many people. For some reason, I always have liked "pest birds". Both crows and pigeons are hunted routinely in different countires of the world and because they are both so disliked. Crows and pigeons are both highly successful species and both live on all continents of the world except Antarctica. Both species easily integrate into most environments and have no problem adapting to life around humans. Both species generally mate for life and both are very caring and nurturing towards their young. Both species are very intelligent and social. So many similarities between the 2 species that for me, they are both amazingly interesting families that will one day probably compete to rule the planet after most other species are gone.

Crows' intelligence is quite remarkable though and this has always fascinated me growing up. Pigeons are smart too, but they are not on par with corvids in my personal opinion. In this program it demonstrates the ability of the New Caledonia crow to fashion a tool to get food. Not only does it use a tool, it adapts the tool to suit it's needs by working on it and changing it to make better use of. Then in a first ever seen experiment on this program, it shows this same crow using a tool, to get to ANOTHER tool, to get to some food! This is unheard of in the animal kingdom, even the apes and chimpanzees don't make use of tools in this manner whatsoever. This places crows and corvids near the top of the intelligence ladder underneath humans only in this particular intelligence demonstration. Toolmaking is considered one of the very important clues to denoting intelligence.

I'm going to try to record the program on Thursday and possibly upload it onto YouTube if had hasn't already been by then. It's really worth watching and for anyone who enjoys nature and wildlife.

Fortunately, I have seen the video of the crow using a tool and then "tooling" to get another tool! Quite amazing!! There was also a video of a crow dropping rocks in a container to raise the water level to get the "goodie."

I have always liked crows and wish I could have one...they are just such clever birds!

AND...they watch us!!

Love and Hugs
Shi

Hi Gladys,

How big are these "ravens"? Ravens are HUGE birds, much larger than a crow and would dwarf a pigeon. I don't know which species of corvids you have in your area but I think you might have rooks and jackdaws too. Rooks are very much like crows in size and jackdaws are small, about the same size as a pigeon.

Thanks Brad.... I love my Crows.... especially around here... they chase the red tail hawk... You would not believe the show when they are after one.... .. and the show begins...they never get the hawk, but you can hear the crows actually grawling .......... I do feed them especially in the winter.. corn and peanuts....
Thanks look forward for more info...

Carol wrote:Thanks Brad.... I love my Crows.... especially around here... they chase the red tail hawk... You would not believe the show when they are after one.... .. and the show begins...they never get the hawk, but you can hear the crows actually grawling .......... I do feed them especially in the winter.. corn and peanuts....
Thanks look forward for more info...

Hi again Carol...

So glad you like crows too, they are good and beneficial birds. Oh I know what a show they put on when chasing a hawk! I love watching them go after hawks I'm going to try to record the show tonight although I'm not sure I'm going to post it right away on Youtube. I'm a bit worried that if I do, I might have my channel removed for copyright infractions. Certain members were not able to see some of the videos I forwarded, and because there aren't many the "Nature of Things" videos on Youtube, it's got me thinking that they may be pretty strict on copyrights for this program and it may not go over well.

EEK, Brad!

Hope you have someone to bail you out of the hoosegow (western talk for "jail!") if you get caught! Your American members and friends are a little far away!

Besides, if you get caught, we lose our "leader" - then what will we do?? Who else can I torment and tease and who will remind me of the things I seem to forget?!

Who will post all those neat (legitimate??) videos? *sigh* Thanks, Brad...now, I have something else to worry about!

Love and Hugs
Shi