Do you like, do you hate Crows ! ? !

Do you like black ! – do humans hate Crows, more because they are seen aplenty !?

காக்கை சிறகினிலே நந்தலாலா - நின்றன்

கரிய நிறம் தோன்றுதையே நந்தலாலா  ! 

கேட்கும் ஒலியில் எல்லாம் நந்தலாலா - நின்றன்

கீதம் இசைக்குதடா நந்தலாலா  !!

பாரதி ஒரு பன்முகக் கவிஞர். நாட்டுப் பற்று, மொழி்ப் பற்று, சமயப் பற்று  அனைத்தும் அவர்தம் பாடல்களில் சிறப்புற வெளிப்பட்டன.   பாரதியின் கவிதைகளை வாசிப்பது அற்புதமான அனுபவம்     ”இருளிலிருந்து ஒளிக்கு” இட்டுச்செல்லும் உண்மை உணர்வுகள் அவை.  காக்கையையும் நேசிப்பார் உண்டோ !!  காக்கை சிறகின் நிறம் இருள், குழப்பம், அஞ்ஞானம் போன்றவற்றை குறிப்பிடுகிறது. அங்கிருந்து ஒரு பயணம் துவங்குகிறது. 

Crows are black birds known for their intelligence and adaptability, and for their loud, harsh "caw." They also have a reputation for damaging crops; however, their impact may be less than previously thought.  The genus Corvus comprises crows, ravens and rooks. These birds are all part of the Corvidae family, which includes jays, magpies and nutcrackers. The head feathers have a coppery-purple gloss and the throat feathers are quite long and fluffed out in some calls and displays.

Crows are extremely intelligent birds. They are known for their problem-solving skills and amazing communication skills. For example, when a crow encounters a mean human, it will teach other crows how to identify the human, says some researchers. In fact, research shows that crows don’t forget a face.

Many types of crows are solitary, but they will often forage in groups. Others stay in large groups. A group of crows is called a murder. When one crow dies, the murder will surround the deceased. This funeral isn’t just to mourn the dead, though. The crows gather together to find out what killed their member. Then, the murder of crows will band together and chase predators in a behavior called mobbing. With some crow species, the yearlings and non-mating adults live in a group called a roosting community. 

Some crows migrate while other crows don’t migrate in the common sense. They will travel to warmer areas of their territory, when needed. Recent research has illuminated this startling dimension of avian behavior, revealing that crows — members of the avian elite — can hold grudges for up to 17 years. This discovery showcases the profound capacity of the crows’ memories. The study also sheds light on the social transmission of knowledge about threats within bird communities.

The research project, led by experts at the University of Washington, was launched in 2006. Professor John Marzluff, an environmental scientist, initiated the study by donning a fearsome mask and temporarily trapping seven crows. He identified them with leg rings before their safe release. In subsequent years, the professor and his assistants sporadically wore the same mask — strolling the university campus while feeding the resident crows. Marzluff recalled an incident while wearing the mask when 47 out of 53 crows he encountered vehemently scolded him. This was a substantial increase from the original seven crows that were captured, suggesting that these birds could recognize threatening humans and pass on this knowledge to their kin.

Stories abound of crows dropping nuts onto busy roads, waiting for cars to crack them open, and then retrieving the food once the traffic stops. Some crows have even figured out how to use sticks to extract insects from tree bark or fashion hooks from twigs to fish out food from hard-to-reach places. The study from the University of Washington undeniably contributes to affirming the crows’ place in the intelligence hierarchy among birds.

Interesting !

Regards – S Sampathkumar

9.4.2025