Essays, Art and Plays by Dan

Crows are intelligent birds that use tools, recognize human faces and hold funerals for the deceased. They are social, often living in flocks, and are known for their problem-solving skills and complex communication, which includes regional “accents” or dialects. Crows are also known for being adaptable, omnivorous scavengers, and are found across most of the world.  

Intelligence and behavior 

• Intelligent: Crows exhibit advanced problem-solving skills, with some research suggesting their intelligence is comparable to that of a young child. 
• Tool use: They are one of the few species known to use and even make tools to get food. 
• Face recognition: Crows can remember and recognize human faces, holding grudges against those they perceive as a threat and sharing this information with other crows. 
• Social behavior: A group of crows is called a “murder”. They are social birds that often form large flocks and communicate with each other using a complex system of calls. 
• “Funerals”: When a crow dies, other crows may gather around it, possibly to learn about the cause of death to avoid similar threats in the future. 
• Playful: Crows have a reputation for being mischievous, as they will engage in pranks, tease other animals, and play games.