You Don’t Ever Want To Beef With a Crow
Crows might look like just another bird hanging out on a power line, but don’t be fooled—these feathered masterminds are not the ones to mess with. They are some of the most formidable creatures in the animal kingdom. Annoy one, and you might find yourself earning a lifelong enemy. Sounds dramatic? It’s not. If you value your peace, staying on their good side is best. Here’s why.
They Remember Human Faces
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Mess with a crow once, and it might hold that against you for years. Their ability to recall specific faces is unsettling. While most birds might forget you in minutes, crows will lock in your identity like a security camera with a personal vendetta.
They Craft And Use Tools
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Crows are nature’s little engineers. New Caledonian crows have been spotted bending twigs and shaping leaves into tools to extract insects from tight spaces. Some even modify their tools for better efficiency, a skill once considered unique to humans and primates. That level of problem-solving would impress even the most skilled DIYer.
They Know When You’re Watching
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These birds have adjusted their behavior when they sense human eyes on them. For example, if they’re hiding food, they’ll fake a stash to throw off potential thieves. They’ll also wait until they feel unobserved before returning to their real hiding spots. This kind of awareness is rare in the animal kingdom.
They Can Learn Symbols And How To Count
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Crows are also mathematically inclined. Studies show they can count up to five and recognize symbols associated with numbers. In one experiment, crows successfully picked matching quantities based on visual symbols. They’re tiny, feathered mathematicians, solving problems most animals wouldn’t comprehend. If given enough time, who knows? They could start taking standardized tests.
They Mimic Human Speech
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Parrots aren’t the only birds capable of mimicking human words—crows can do it too, and sometimes even better. Plenty of videos online of pet crows casually chatting with their owners, saying phrases like “hello” or even laughing in a downright creepy way. Some wild crows have picked up words just by listening to humans talk.
They Use Bait And Trick Predators
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Some crows have been seen dropping bread into the water to lure fish, which proves they understand baiting techniques. Others have tricked predators by faking distress calls or pretending to be injured to lure them away from nests. In urban settings, they’ve even figured out that dropping nuts onto crosswalks lets cars crack them open for easy access.
They Can Solve Complex Puzzles
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Crows can figure out a sequence faster than some young children. It’s the kind of intelligence that would make an escape artist jealous. If crows had thumbs, they could now be breaking into locked safes and hacking security systems. So, if you ever challenge one to a brain game, know it might walk away with the win.
They Thrive In Diverse Environments
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City streets, forests, farmland—crows can live just about anywhere. While other birds struggle with human expansion, they adapt. They’ve learned how to navigate busy streets, recognize food sources in trash bins, and even take advantage of human schedules. They know when schools let out, so they can scavenge dropped snacks!
They Teach Others To Hold Grudges
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Mess with a crow, and you’re not just making one enemy—you’re beefing with an entire network of them. Crows pass information to their fellow birds and warn them about specific people they don’t trust. If you cross one, it might spread the word, and suddenly, every crow in the area is giving you dirty looks.
They Spy On You
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Crows are nosy. They watch people closely and learn routines, sometimes following individuals to see where they’re going or what they’re doing. In cities, they observe people’s habits and adjust accordingly, knowing when to swoop in for food or when to steer clear. If you ever feel like you’re being watched, check the trees.
They Can Gossip About You
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Crows talk in their language of clicks, caws, and signals that scientists believe convey complex messages. If you wrong a crow, there’s a good chance it’s spreading the news. Researchers have seen crows react negatively to strangers based on stories passed down from other crows.
They Recognize Kindness Too
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It’s not all bad news—if you’re good to crows, they remember that too. People who regularly feed crows have received gifts like shiny trinkets, buttons, or even coins. Some crows form bonds with humans and follow them around or even bring them special items.
They Steal Just For Fun
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Crows don’t just take what they need—they sometimes take what they want just because they can. They’ve been caught swiping jewelry, stealing cash, and snatching small objects like keys or earbuds. Some do it for food, but others seem to do it for entertainment.
They Learn From Each Other
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Crows don’t just learn from their own mistakes—they pick up lessons from their friends, family, and even total strangers. If one crow gets tricked, trapped, or threatened, others in the area will take note and avoid the same fate.
They Have A Long Lifespan
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Crows have the time to perfect their skills. In the wild, they can live up to 20 years. That’s an eternity compared to most birds. Their long lives give them plenty of time to form tight social bonds and hold grudges that last longer than your average high school rivalry.