Did You Know? (Crow facts)

*** Crows show strong group loyalty. Despite man's hunger to always expand taking more and more habitat. This bird has not only survived but thrived.

*** Crows incubate their eggs for 18 days. Within five weeks the baby crows are able to fly.

*** A crow can eat almost anything. Diet includes grains, insects, eggs, fruit, even carrion. Rarely do crows face a food shortage because they are so adaptable.

*** A crow gives up flock loyalty during nesting season. Attention is transferred to the female. Researchers believe that they mate for life and are model wildlife parents. A mate knows where the other is at all times. Even in flight, a slower mate is waited for so that the two can fly as a team.

*** During nesting the male provides the female with food. When the eggs hatch, the pair provides their offspring with a minimum of eight full meals every day.

*** Crows have very rapid digestive systems. This accounts for them being able to eat large quantities of food even when they are babies.

*** The raven and crow are two different birds. The raven is larger and remains in northern regions throughout severe winters.

*** A crow, like a parrot, can learn to repeat words and even long phrases. This indicates a high degree of intelligence. It can associate words with meaning. Also, the crow responds to commands.

*** The crow is a scavenger and hunts along the sides of roads.

*** Crows warn each other of danger.

*** Crows build large basket type nests of sticks, bark, fur, leaves, and whatever else they can find that attracts their attention. Yearlings often help.

*** Scarecrows are useless in discouraging crows from raiding the garden.

*** Researchers have succeeded in distinguishing some 300 different crow calls. Five different crow calls have been distinguished to refer to different kinds of danger.

*** Crows dislike hawks and owls and chase them when the opportunity arises.

*** The crow's ability to learn new behaviors in a changing environment is one of the reasons they are as common as they are.

*** Crows have forward pointing bristles which cover their nostrils. This aids in preventing bacteria from entering their bodies when they feed on carrion.

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