Corvid Companions

As I made my way south through Oregon today towards my next stop in Bandon, I enjoyed the company of two Crows while stopping briefly for a rest. Now I realize these are not uniquely coastal birds, but they deserve some brief recognition nonetheless. I’ve had the great privilege of traveling to some wonderful places around the world, and in every one, I’ve been lucky to find a member of the corvid bird family. The Corvidae family of birds is comprised of over 120 species of passerines including crows, ravens, nutcrackers, rooks, jackdaws, jays, treepies, magpies, and choughs. The genus Corvus (ravens, crows, and jackdaws) makes up about a third of the family. This clever line of birds occurs throughout the world, from the arid deserts of the Southwestern U.S. to the arctic regions of the earth. Ranging in size from the largest (Common Raven) to the smallest (Dwarf Jay), these birds come in all shapes and sizes, yet unlike most passerines, they do not “sing” in a traditional sense. Instead, they utilize a complex series of different utterances, notes, and sounds to communicate. Because of their wide distribution and the fact that they often come in close contact with humans, members of this family frequently find their way into popular legend, literature, and folklore.

Unfortunately, many of these associations aren’t all that positive, which, if you know much about these birds, is quite perplexing. Of all bird species, corvids are some of the most intelligent and highly social, a characteristic often associated with increased cognitive ability. Physically, the brain-to-body ratio of corvids is equal to that of great apes and cetaceans, just shy of the ratio of our own species. And these birds are doting parents, forming strong pair-bonds (some for life) to raise offspring. Young corvids have an extensive rearing period (in many cases as long as 45 days) and are most commonly raised in cooperative breeding groups, both contributing to the highly creative and innovative nature of this bird family. Although I’m a cat and dog lover myself, crows, ravens, and jays have even out-performed Fluffy and Fido in cognitive tests. They are adept hunters (most omnivorous), have superb memories, and have even been documented crafting tools by using twigs and stones.  In other words, they are just plain neat birds. So the next time you notice one in your neighborhood, don’t hesitate to make a new acquaintance!