Nancy Gleason (MOVED instance)

Corvid Love.
I captured an intimate moment for these two American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) at a park near my house in #Seattle.

While #crows have a reputation for being jerks, I like this image for showing they have a tender side as well. I observed long enough to know he's not actually poking her eye out; this was an example of "allogrooming" behavior for your science word of the day. You're welcome.

#NaturePhotography #nature #birds #BirdPhotography #birdwatching

Nov 27, 2022 at 12:54amWeb
Show threadWill šŸ“· šŸ¦Nov 27, 2022
@ncgleason Great shot! I love corvids so much. :)
Show threadNancy Gleason (MOVED instance)Nov 27, 2022
@WillCOPhoto Thank you! I see crows every day, but this behavior was different from the usual. I should really just go document all their fascinating habits. A couple of them store peanuts on top of the streetlight I can see from my window and they share with friends.
Show threadPatty KimuraNov 27, 2022
@ncgleason My dog once came to tell me there was a crow in trouble. But it was winter and deep deep snow, and the cries were coming from high high up in a hemlock. We stood helplessly. Then I noticed a crow flying in circles cawing. It was its pair bond, helpless and persistent. I stood in that winter snow, crying.
Show threadNancy Gleason (MOVED instance)Nov 27, 2022
@pattykimura Heartbreaking to feel that loss. Nature can be so harsh. Itā€™s nice to know there are other humans out there feeling empathy for animals.
Show threadCrowpotkinNov 27, 2022
@ncgleason theyā€™re so sweet together.
Show threadMargy MacMillanNov 27, 2022
@ncgleason lovely photo and an excellent example of ALT TEXT- thank you for posting it!
Show threadNancy Gleason (MOVED instance)Nov 27, 2022
@MargyMacLibrary Oh thank you! I really appreciate that feedback on the alt-text. I strongly believe in accessibility for all, but have never used a screen reader myself, so Iā€™m wide open to receiving guidance and recommendations.
Show threadMargy MacMillanNov 27, 2022
@ncgleason The loveliest description of alt text Iā€™ve seen is ā€˜Describe it as though youā€™re talking to a cherished friend on the phoneā€™ - This site is great for alt text tips https://www.accessible-social.com/ - and Iā€™m guessing you already follow @corvidresearch for all things crow and corvidā€¦
Accessible Social

Accessible Social is a free resource and education hub that helps marketers and content creators learn about accessibility and how it relates to social media.

Show threadNancy Gleason (MOVED instance)Nov 27, 2022
@MargyMacLibrary Ah! Than you for connecting me to that resource. I was not already following
@corvidresearch but am now.
Show threadAlexisNov 27, 2022

@ncgleason In my experience, crows are only jerks if they've been given reason to be. They're smart enough to not only remember faces individually, but teach their flock and their offspring to remember who pays attention to the birds and what they do regarding the birds.

They're quite open to regular bribery, too. Unsalted roasted nuts of any kind are basically gold and platinum coins for corvids, and the more regular the schedule the faster they'll warm up to the weird hairless ape that keeps bringing the bribes. 

Show threadjohnaldisNov 27, 2022
@ncgleason Thatā€™s grooming to say ā€œā€˜allo!ā€, right? (j/k)
Show threadBarry T. SmithNov 27, 2022
@ncgleason Looks like attempted murder to me.
Show threadNancy Gleason (MOVED instance)Nov 27, 2022
@RoadMilk Haha good one šŸ˜‰
Show threadDonald ZeiglerNov 27, 2022
@ncgleason I love corvids.
Show threadAlex, the Hearth FireNov 27, 2022
@ncgleason how do you know that one is "he" and one is "she"?
Show threadNancy Gleason (MOVED instance)Nov 27, 2022
@WizardOfDocs I can't know anything for certain. As a scientist, I work with statistical probabilities. So since ornithologists have determined male crows are usually (but not always) larger, and crows form male/female pair bonds and mate for life, then I made the assumption the intimate behavior between the larger/smaller crows indicates male/female pair bond. I could be completely wrong, but just went with what is "probable" based on training as a natural scientist. Wide open to ideas.
Show threadnikkianaNov 27, 2022
@ncgleason Ohhh! I love this photo so much. Thank you for sharing!
Show threadamba azaadNov 28, 2022
@ncgleason this should be the cover of a romance novel.
Show threadNancy Gleason (MOVED instance)Nov 29, 2022
@AmbaAzaad Haha I love that idea! Main characters can be bird nerds who meet on a birdwatching tour. Iā€™ll start emailing authors and publishers right now šŸ˜Š
Show threadamba azaadNov 29, 2022
@ncgleason I was actually thinking a romance novel about crows. Enough with the middle grade animal stories of warrior cats and monastery mice! Let animals have HEAs too! :)
Show threadChristopher Mathie Fine ArtDec 4, 2022
@ncgleason Beautiful šŸ˜