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Blackbirds like
small priests walked in the silent fields.
-- Niall Williams --
The Corvids
- crows, ravens, jays, magpies and jackdaws, are the Einsteins of the bird family; no other birds even come close to matching their intelligence. Crows live in close knit family groups. They communicate -- some 23 distinct patterns of caws have been interpreted -- and they cooperate with each other. At work, they don't stab each other in the back, and back home, they don't cheat on their spouses -- crows generally mate for life.
I recently watched as a crow repeatedly hopped down inside a dumpster and brought out food, leaving it with its mate, who was keeping an eye out for danger. I've also observed crows taking turns standing guard as the group bathed in a rain puddle.
The "Crow Funeral" has often been written about, but seldom seen. A few years ago, I had the privilege of witnessing one. It was an unforgettable sight.
Then there's the often repeated story of the crow raised by a British bird behaviorist. One day, as the woman was about to walk her dog, she suddenly remembered something she had to do. Dropping the leash, she went into the house. Upon returning, she found that the crow had the end of the leash in its mouth, and was calmly taking Fido for a walk around the yard!
I don't know if there's anything to reincarnation, but if true, I'd like to come back as a crow. And if you are one of those people who have told me how much you hate these birds, well -- look for me under your bedroom window someday in the future. At dawn. There is much to talk about.
Please click on the boxes to view my
various corvid photographs
For the last couple of years, during the summer months, the West Nile virus
has made its way
across the USA, infecting thousands of wild birds, including crows, and hundreds of human victims. What is
West NileVirus? What are the symptoms, and what can be done to reduce the risk
of WNV? To stay up to date on current research,
click HERE for the Centers for Disease Control website.
Crow people are everywhere! Put this on your car and watch them come up to you!
The price is only $2.00 each,
plus .50 postage and handling (USA, other countries, p&h is $1
US). I can send up to three
bumper stickers in one envelope for the same postage. For the mailing address
in order to send your check, please send me an e-mail at:
clcook@olywa.net.
NOTE: Mention ASCAR when you order, and I will send .75 to the Association of
Crows and Ravens for each bumper sticker sold. See the link below for information on ASCAR.
Exhibition
quality prints may be available of images on this web site. For prices and information, please click
HERE. For information concerning editorial usage or for
qualified commercial usage, or for comments and questions, please email
clcook@olywa.net
Click
HERE for corvid humor
(changes when the muse hits)
