Carl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022

For the holiday, a thread on how to befriend crows.

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Befriending crows is a wonderful thing.

I have many crow friends at home and at work. They bring joy at unexpected moments and can rescue a miserable day even without shaking down the dust of snow that Robert Frost described.

This thread is an updated version of one I posted at the bird site in July 2019.

#birding #birdwatching #birds #urbanbirding #crows #corvids #crow #corvid #crowfriends

Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022

If you live in an urban or suburban area where crows are around it's not too hard to befriend them. Rural crows are harder but not impossible.

First and foremost they like food. Peanuts in the shell are a favorite treat but most anything works; crows are omnivorous. It's probably not good for them, but they adore cheetos.

Photo: not a good shot but the only one I have of my beloved Tatterwing demonstrating next-level peanut technique: five at a time by spearing. No other crow figured this out.

Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022

If you feed them regularly, they will come to recognize you. They're remarkably good at recognizing faces, gaits, and even the sound of a particular car's engine.

In the rain wearing a new jacket with the hood up? They recognize me.

After a year away from the office due to COVID policies, I thought my office friends would have forgotten me. No. They spotted me within a few yards of the parking garage.

Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022
Try to be consistent. Make sure you have food for them each time you see them. Crows are so smart that this isn't essential. But it's a general principle in animal training which is, in a sense, what you are doing. Though as you'll discover, it's more like them training you.
Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022
Personally, I like to talk to them. I have no idea whether this helps or not. But I treat each one with dignity, greet them when I see them, explain what I'm doing as I'm getting out a treat, ask them how their days have been, that sort of thing.
Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022

For the crows that live near my house, I have a call as well. It's simple. I go outside and shout "Hello, crows!"

I'd do that every time before feeding them, especially if they were nearby to see me feeding.

Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022

After a few months, they started doing something new. When I called them, even if they were blocks away, they started talking back with loud food calls. Now I can go outside, call once, and then listen to them calling back to me as they fly in from all around the neighborhood.

Photo: A frequent visitor who goes around the house until she can see me through the window, and then endeavors to get my attention.

Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022

The crows at work almost always spot me before I spot them. I think they recognize my gait because they can find me in a new jacket with the hood up against the Seattle rain. They have a particular flight pattern, a low swoop braking right in of me, to get my attention.

Sometimes their wingtips brush my arm as they come by. This took a while; at first I would feed them any time I saw them, even up high on a light pole. Now I wait for them to swoop me.

My avatar here is one of those work crows.

Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022

Sometimes after an unpleasant work meeting or something they find me as, tired and grumpy, I'm leaving my building. They never fail to make me laugh, and to turn around my mood.

I've never received trinkets from crows, but they've still given me more than I've given them.

Show threadCarl T. Bergstrom

Then there are fledglings! If crows trust you, they will introduce you to their young ones.

Nothing is better.

Nothing.

Dec 25, 2022 at 2:20amWeb
Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022

Crows are also loyal and brave.

Please do not piss them off because they hold grudges — and share these grudges with their brethren.

Victims, clockwise from top left: Bald eagle, red-tailed hawk, osprey, common raven.

Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022

Which brings me to a warning.

Tempting as it can be, under no circumstances should you use the instructions I’ve provided here to assemble your own personal arm of crows to carry out acts of unspeakable evil—or even to wage justified campaigns of retribution against your enemies.

Crows are wise birds, and they will catch own quickly. Once your crow army realizes that your seeming friendship is merely an instrumental ploy to harness their power to your own ends, may God help you—for I cannot.

Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022
So that's pretty much it. It's relatively easy to befriend crows, and it's endlessly rewarding. I hope that a few of you are able to make crow friends of your own, and I look forward to hearing about your adventures with them.
Show threadlakeladyDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom Carl, thank you so much for this thread. I have an old and very dear friend who is a HUGE fan of crows. She even has one tattooed on her calf. She's currently in the hospital fighting for her life. And I sit here 3000 miles away feeling helpless. Your thread lifted my spirits during a rough holiday season. Thank you! ❤️
Show threadwhetstoneDec 25, 2022
@lakelady @ct_bergstrom may the raven and crow spirits attend and strengthen her
Show threadlakeladyDec 25, 2022
@whetstone @ct_bergstrom thank you ❤️
Show threadSheilanagig :🇮🇪Dec 25, 2022
@lakelady @ct_bergstrom
From the rooks, ravens, jackdaws and hoodie crows of Ireland comes the healing of ages. May their calls reach her ears and lend her some strength.
Show threadlakeladyDec 25, 2022
@Sheilanagig @ct_bergstrom Thank you so much for this! May they shower you with blessings in the new year as well ❤️
Show threadlauowolfDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom I have two different groups who come by for peanuts. There were a few initial squabbles but now they seem to have a time sharing arrangement.Original crow is still my fave, so smart and shiny!
Show threadFrank HaganDec 25, 2022

@ct_bergstrom

I've been feeding our crows unsalted peanuts in the shell, which they love. They particularly like them in a bowl in the birdbath - they like dipping the peanuts first. I haven't been consistent with times, or calling out to them, but they have left me strawberries and, curiously, small bones.

Show threadTown vs. Beagle KillerDec 25, 2022
@LockeLiberal1 My mother-in-law's crows brought her chicken bones.
Show threadMatti AleveDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom such an informative thread thank you. Shared with wife and daughter. We’ve taken up birding the last year or so. Going to have to try and make friends with our neighborhood crows. In the spring we hand 6-8 crows regularly they disappeared for a while and just a couple around now. These pictures taken when they were in a tree in our backyard.
Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022
@Maleve Lovely birds!
Show threadDavidDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom To Live Where Ravens Call

Often I will hear them overhead.
I may be in the garden,
Sitting on the stoop,
Or even indoors.

Driving, I may see a pair
Flying over a farmer mowing his fields,
Black feathers glinting as they tilt in the sun.

Always their presence causes me to stop.
To be still for a moment.

This has been going on so long
It’s impossible to say
When it became essential
To live where ravens call.
Show threaddeadroseDec 25, 2022

@ct_bergstrom We live near the southern roost and feed our crows regularly.

We have an old arbor in the back yard and perch a dog dish up there full of puppy chow, peanuts, and other delicious treats, especially during breeding season. They're still skittish about us being in the yard when they are, but they will sit on the arbor & wait for us to come in the kitchen. They make deliberate eye contact before they fly off to a nearby tree. And we do get occasional gifts.

Show threadKatMDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom I was making progress befriending the crows in my neighborhood but they won't come to my yard anymore. My guess is it's because of the aggressive blue Jays, fox, and random cat that also spend a lot of time here. I think there's enough food around they didn't want to deal with the drama and I understand but I'm kinda sad about it.
Show threadBen GleesonDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom no crows here. Our local corvids are ravens (Braidwood, near Canberra). We don’t deliberately feed them, but cohabit nonetheless. They’re regularly found in our kitchen and chook pen. I took this blurry pic on the wing one time. (Edited cos they’re just ravens, not ‘little’).
Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022
@Socio_eco_evo ah yes, I remember seeing these ravens on Black Mountain when I was last there, about a decade ago. Lovely birds.
Show threadBen GleesonDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom we are a bit spoilt around here. Currawongs and choughs also quite charismatic.
Show threadwhetstoneDec 25, 2022

@ct_bergstrom inspired by this thread, literally the *only* thing i asked for for christmas was a large (25 pound) bag of unsalted peanuts.

practicing my potential calls: either “hello crows” (i like the internal rhyme) or 「カラス来い！」(sounds like « karasu koi », “come, crows!” in Japanese).

i am about to have so many friends

Show threadpandabutter [I have moved]Dec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom @whetstone can I steal this? My college campus in Kodaira has many large karasu to befriend, and I already keep kitty treats in my purse for Acchi (skittish campus calico).
Show threadwhetstoneDec 25, 2022
@xelle @ct_bergstrom I think you may get some pushback because of the general Japanese attitude toward crows, but personally i think you can never have too many friends.
Show threadRNsassyDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom I loved this thread, and I'm going to do this after the new year. Cool birds.
Show threadGinny MaierDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom my husband and I befriended an injured Common Raven in the Duluth Zoo many years ago. We began playing a sort of "pass the stick" game with it through the bars of its cage. It clearly came to recognize us and would bring a stick to the bars of the cage whenever we saw it. I don't know how many zoo visitors it had trained in this way, but we were thrilled to be able to share some fun with it whenever we saw it.
Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022
@Vbmaier Amazing story. That’s very fun.
Show threadJay Jason, DJ - FM/AMDec 25, 2022

@ct_bergstrom

Carl, this is a wonderful thread - thank you so much for taking the time to assemble it and share it with us. We are going to try to befriend our neighborhood crows - and will be sure to not use them for evil. 🙂

Show threadLiz Field 🏳️‍⚧️ She/TheyDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom this is great! Thank you. My dad’s middle name was Crow, so I gave my daughter that middle name, too. She is Lily Crow & she has a crow tattooed on her arm. We also used to get hundreds of crows flying around our neighborhood. I would watch them closely but never tried to befriend them or feed them. But I think I will. I’ve always related well to animals & birds.
Show threadLondon!Dec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom re: safe crow snacks for anyone reading, a great option is to find your local speciality parrot shop and look at their offerings for large parrots. Crows aren’t hookbills of course, but the kinds of things that are tasty and safe for large, highly intelligent tool-using birds tend to be similar. You can buy a big bag of raw unsalted nuts, seeds, bits of dried fruits and veggies, and little pressed nugget type bits in bulk to amaze and amuse any bird inexpensively!
Show threaddhooverartDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom Wonderful thread, thank you. I'm hoping to make friends with the crows that nest in the trees next to my house. I could hear their fledglings this year but never saw them. It would be such a treat to see those grumpy faces.
Show threadMary M. RedouteyDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom I used to feed crows a lot but moved where I don't feel able to do so. When a Native American man I knew called Little Crow died I was unable to go to Minnesota for his memorial.
Show threadMary M. RedouteyDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom Four crows arrived in my apartment complex and repeatedly cawed at the time of his memorial. I said, " but it is 7 directions not 4 directions." (add up, down and within you to the 4 directions). And three more crows came to join them swawking. They were there for awhile. Later, I got into the habit of giving them bread (yeah now I know it isn't the best thing for them but then. Oh well.
Show threadMary M. RedouteyDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom They liked it and whatever they didn't eat they banked by pushing it into the grass, under roof shingles, and into other hiding places.)I fed them on the little railing of my own porch as a neighbor complained about food being left out in a common area. If I was late feeding them, they would come and peer into my window as if to say, "I'm here. Feed me." I fed them until I could do it no longer.
Show threadMary M. RedouteyDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom I really appreciate you posting your thread about crows. They are remarkable and intelligent. I see them toss nuts and seeds into the road so that cars will crack them open. And I have seen some really cool videos of them using tools: https://youtu.be/UZM9GpLXepU
Tool-Making Crows Are Even Smarter Than We Thought | Nat Geo Wild

YouTube
Show thread@CharleneTegliaDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom My 2023 goal!
Show threadLizbonDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom Ok now I’m inspired to introduce myself to the 4 crows that live near me. I’ve been watching them chase off the incredibly fat & resourceful squirrels that pilfer from the bird feeder. They are the only ones who can intimidate the squirrels, & they’re so well-organized!
Show threadhallvorsDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom Lovely thread. We had a pair of magpies nesting in our urban back yard once. If it happens again I will try peanuts.
Show threadAlexisDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom Everything you've said here is why I've been making an effort to become known to the local crows as The Human With Almonds. Never a whole lot at any given time, but enough for everyone in the flock to get a piece of one. They're beautiful, smart birds and watching their antics has gotten me through so many rough days.
Show threadpedokomparatorDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom For some years now I am wondering what‘s going on in late autumn and spring. There are always extremely large gatherings (guess some hundreds of crows) on very high rooftops. They sit in groups with some birds flying around. What are they doing? Is it kind of a survey thing? Some kind of conference?
Show threadLaure du TiliaDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom so cute! Thank you for this explanation, I will absolutely try it at home!
Show threadDeep State DudeDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom I like this thread a lot. I need some corvid friends! I need to train my dogs to not go berserk when they fly low at home though.
Show threadcharloboDec 25, 2022

@ct_bergstrom
Thank you for this! I'm obsessed with the ravens and crows in my neighborhood and appreciate their presence so much.

Wasnt the study about crow facial recognition and passing down generational information done at UW?

Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022
@Charlobo it was indeed, by John Marzluff. Such fascinating work.
Show thread🇨🇭CanniuanosDec 25, 2022

@ct_bergstrom

Hi Carl, what a very lovely and entertaining series.

As a thank you, here are some pics of "mine", Lady Guuzi-Bird and Mr. Guuzi-Bird (means treaty-bird for the treats - and it's also the call I use which they respond to).

They just LEURVE that cat food variety: "with venison" 😁

Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022
@Canniuanos That is adorable. What great friends.
Show thread🇨🇭CanniuanosDec 25, 2022

@ct_bergstrom

Funny story BTW.....

As you can see, I have this very heavy (engine piston) ashtray on a sheet of kitchen paper on the table.

They used to tear it out from under - moving the ashtray a foot on the table - and rip it up every_single_day! until I went HMMM... and put their food and water on one as well; their very own kitchen paper sheet, so there.

Ever since...... quiet!

Crow Logic™ 😂

Show threadNiklas RomingDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom Thanks for this. Wanted to try out befriending the crows in my neighbourhood for quite some time already. I always enjoy watching them watching us :) Now I have a new year's resolution.
Show threadandreagreenDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom Wonderful thread, a joy to read on Christmas morning, thank you. We have lots of jackdaws in our street, they roost in the trees and nest (and raise their young every year) in the old chimneys and I love them. Peanuts in shells will be on the next shopping list!
Show threadRubydooDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom Wonderful thread. This is the local gang. There's quite a few but they only gather in such numbers when it's too dark to get a good shot
Show threadrpin42Dec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom this is wonderful. We have a little dog who likes to chase the local crows but they soon worked out the double-back and follow manoeuvre and started playing with her… clearly that have more brains than she does!
Show threadevan Dec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom this is such a great thread. I love feeding and watching the birds around my house. They took their time warming up to me, but it was so rewarding once they did that I couldn't even be mad when they ate all my sunflowers. This really makes me want a crow friend 🥺
Show threadHippieDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom now I need to befriend crows
Show threadAle CanqueDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom one thing I read maybe on nextdoor(!) is that of you feed them etc they will then attack other people or drop stuff on them to defend you!
Show threadmrjackdawDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom Hey, another crow fan here
I myself do not have any stories, but a friend of mine was once taking care of a jackdaw with a broken wing, she found in her garden.
The bird lived with her while she fed it and made sure the wing heals properly.
Once the wing and it's owner were in a good shape she set the bird free and off it flew...
But since then, every morning my friend was finding gifts from this jackdaw on her pillow :-) small worms, nuts, etc :-)
Show thread🆃🆁🆄🅽🅳🅻🅴🆂Dec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom I love this thread! Thank you
Show threadsvøDec 25, 2022

@ct_bergstrom Thank you so much!
The local crows are currently calling from a tree opposite my window to get my attention and more walnuts.

Here is a video of one of them who picks up nuts from my hand.
#krähenContent #crow

Show threadsvøDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom
We put bird food and water outside our window for the crows and sparrows. The crows remind us to fill up the empty bowls by screaming and looking in. Some even get inside but only a few centimeters while carefully scanning the room. They look for my reaction when they try to steal nuts from inside and if I say No they immediately stop. I love them so much! 🖤
#krähenContent #crows
Show threadCarl T. BergstromDec 25, 2022
@Fischkind what a delightful video! Must be so much fun to have crows visiting your kitchen.
Show threadAlexandre FrankeDec 25, 2022
Thank you @ct_bergstrom
There are a few crows in my area, and befriending them has been on my mind for a while, but I didn’t know where to start. Now I do! ❤️
Show threadMorriganDec 25, 2022
@ct_bergstrom Oh Carl, I’m so jealous! I’m going to start working on my relationship with the crows that come to my backyard. So far they’ve been very distant & fly into the trees when I go into the backyard to enjoy them. I’ve got my work cut out for me.