The Angry Murder: a crow story

The crow in this video is using water to soften the dried corn. Watching this fellow solve a problem reminded me of an experience I had a few years ago.

I reside in a neighborhood where the mailboxes are centralized. In my case, they are a brief stroll through my backyard and across the street. One day, as I made my way to collect the mail, I came across a raucous murder of crows. Raucous crows are not unusual, but this time they were all screaming at me. A couple of them swooped near me in a menacing way as I approached the row of trees at my property’s periphery. “Hey, I’m just trying to get my mail!”, I thought as assumed a defensive stance that would undoubtedly demonstrate the intimidating side of my persona.

After the adrenaline rush faded, I pondered the reason behind the crows' agitation. I scanned the surroundings to discern the cause. My gaze fell upon a juvenile crow at the base of a tree. He was alive but was clearly distressed and panting. The poor thing must have been terrified. The murder's chaos persisted, yet I momentarily ignored it. Fixated on the young crow, I murmured, “I understand. I’ll think on this and try to help.” Indeed, I frequently speak to animals.

During my brief mail run I contemplated the situation. It was a scorching summer day. The notion struck me: perhaps the little one was parched, and a sip of water would help him regain his strength. This hypothesis merited investigation. Extending the hose across the yard, I initiated a gentle sprinkler. The baby was positioned at the far edge of my yard and the water didn’t quite reach him. I positioned an inverted frisbee in the watering area to gather the water. Ideally, I would have approached the baby directly and offered water within reach, but this panicked family was screaming at me again. I didn’t want to cause any further distress for their baby or them.

Regretfully, I didn’t watch to see what happened. About 15 minutes later, I went out to inspect the situation. The baby was no longer on the ground and the family had moved on. Did the water help? Did one of the adults take some of the water to him, or did he find the strength to make his way to the water? Did the frisbee help? Did a hawk swoop down and get him? I’ll never know, but I lament being too preoccupied with my daily chores to pause and witness how these exceptionally astute beings navigated the circumstance. Irrespective of the outcome, I trust the crows perceived my genuine intention to assist.

Such encounters serve as poignant reminders of the interconnectedness of all living beings, each playing a vital role in the grand narrative of life. The crow, with its keen intellect, invites us to reflect on our own capacity for creativity and problem-solving. Nature beckons us to embrace its lessons, urging us to cultivate a sense of wonder and appreciation for the world around us.

PS:  My garden now includes a Timeless Garden Oasis, which I rinse and refill daily to ensure that all my local wildlife have access to fresh water as needed. I encourage everyone to consider providing fresh water daily for your local animals, even if you just use a frisbee.