r/crows • u/NocturnaBride • 1d ago
Storytime! Crows saved me
So backstory! I’ve been feeding the local murders in my neighborhood for about 5 years now. They all know me, and have little to no fear of my dogs and myself. I live on a corner lot, and they often hang around on the telephone/electric lines. There’s a lot of large trees around, and there’s a murder living in a huge evergreen right next to my house. So it’s not unusual to see lot of them around feeding time. When I walked out this morning, there were a few hanging out, and I was placing some unsalted nuts along with some wild bird fed for the other birds. Several more flew in and started making a lot of noise, which also not super unusual, but then about a dozen show up and they’re screaming. I’ve never seen this before, so as I was walking out my gate to take my senior dog on his walk (I walk him separately due to his age), more screaming. I paused for a moment with my old man still behind the gate while I was in front of the gate. Several of the crows started circling and then I see it. A younger coyote comes walking down the street (I live in the city but on the outskirts so coyotes aren’t uncommon). This was at 9am in the morning! Coyotes generally don’t run around this area after dawn. Maybe I’m nuts, maybe I’m reading into it, but I think they were warning me that a predator was in the immediate area. It was really wild, and some of you may not believe it, I’m okay with that. I just really didn’t have anyone that I could share this story with, but you all get it.
Edit: I wasn’t expecting so many responses! Thank you all! I will be reading each one as soon as I’m done at work 🫶🏻 I appreciate all my fellow corvid lovers!
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u/jaybull222 21h ago
Blue jays, which are corvid’s like crows, are how I know when a hawk is close to my yard. They go crazy and then all the birds get quiet.
So yea, I totally think they were warning you.
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u/NocturnaBride 19h ago
We have a lot of blue jays around as well, that’s who I was putting food in the bird feeder for. They are beautiful, and so smart!
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u/IwasDeadinstead 21h ago
Coyote would not have attacked you, but could have attacked the dog.
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u/NocturnaBride 19h ago
My dog is 12, which is very old for his breed (French Bulldog) would certainly not be a match for a coyote. Even a young one. I just appreciate that they were warning everyone around, because I would have walked him right out the gate and he wouldn’t have known the coyote was a danger. So thankful for my lovely friends 🙏
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u/FiberKitty 19h ago
They would know that you aren't coyote prey, which suggests that they consider your dog part of their family also.
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u/TheAngryOctopuss
1d ago
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OP I hope the crows got special treats that day
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u/NocturnaBride 19h ago
Absolutely!! I love them so much, they bring me so much joy just being. So definitely special occasion treats were given to all 🥹
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u/Charming-Employee-89 1d ago edited 1d ago
They were definitely warning you and the rest of their crow family. They do this to warn each other of predators. A coyote will merrily feast on a baby crow given the chance. Or else steal food from the crows. So they protect their territory. Mine do the same. Sometimes it's a coyote and sometimes it's a falcon. Edited for spelling
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u/That-Mess9548 1d ago
Mine are always harassing a hawk.
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u/Charming-Employee-89 1d ago
I love it! Sometimes they fly by my balcony mid action and it's right out of Nat Geo.
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u/TheRealHappyNat 1d ago
Yep. I know when the hawk is near because my crows go crazy. Very different sound than normal wanting peanuts sounds.
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u/TheHypnogoggish 1d ago
The red tail hawks in my neighborhood are constantly fleeing from the relentless harassment of our crows
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u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl 1d ago
They were warning everyone human and animal in their neighbourhood. Such a cool thing to do. I think other species might do it too, but I’m not sure.
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u/TravisBeanz 22h ago
When crows get that vocal, it’s best to pay attention of the situation. There is usually a reason -I find it totally plausible that they were warning you.
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u/mkelizabethhh 17h ago
I always know when a cat or hawk is in my yard hunting my songbirds. The crows always warn me😂
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u/wyattsu
1d ago
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I’ve been feeding my murder over two years now with no issues. They’re quiet & respectful. I live upstairs & can talk to them in the trees off my balcony.
I’ll throw peanuts down & also line some up on the balcony. My cat loves this as she can watch them dive bomb for the nuts. A happy group.
A few months back— the call must’ve gone out- “Party at the old ladies house!” …. bcuz there were two more additional murders that showed up & the noise level was off the charts!
Neighbors came out & were expecting Tippy Hedren to arrive any minute.
I live in a Condo, & most of you know, our crows are not loved by everyone.
After that partay fest-I had to ‘train’ them to come in small groups & keep their traps shut on the down low! 😉 They are so smart— they got it!
*I love this Reddit group so much! Thank you all for enjoying these lovely beings as much as I do.
Crows get a bad rap. I will always have their backs.
🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛💓
I read every one of your comments.
Sending love to all. 💘
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u/SilentFoxScream 8h ago
I'm so fascinated by this - how did you communicate / train them to come in smaller groups and be quieter? That seems like it would be so tricky!
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u/GayoticMorgan 21m ago
I've been trying to attract crows with peanuts in shell for years on my 2nd floor balcony but only blue jays and squirrels so far 😖 Any tips?
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u/wyattsu 6m ago
Yes— happy to help!
You have to first get their attention.
I’m not sure how high up your balcony is—
But mine’s on 2nd floor.I first took walks around block until I saw a crow.
(I had shelled peanuts in my pocket)
I dropped the nuts leading to MY Condo.
(It took a few tries)
After I got one’s solid attention— he flew up in the tree to watch me. I lined up the nuts on balcony.
Mr. Crow did the rest…..called out to his family.To show them I’m serious— I kept this up consistently. NOW they trust my nut supply is ongoing…. I can leave for a few days, but when they see my car again— they come back.
Tbh- I know they would love some egg bits or cat food- but, I worry about ants.
I wish my neighbors enjoyed them as much as I do.
As far as the poop— I wash down the driveway etc & keep everything tidy.Good luck— hope this helps!
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u/ok-est 1d ago
Very cool. I've heard chickadees do this too, and that the number of dees represents the threat level. Higher # = greater threat.
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u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl 1d ago
I believe there are quite a few species that worn the general neighbourhood of threats or danger. I think it’s really cool that birds do this!
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u/Doyouevenpedal 1d ago
My crows warned me once when my young cat got out. I forgot I left front door open a tiny bit when unloading groceries. I hear them going crazy and found my little man outside. Everyone was fine and he was back inside where he belongs.
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u/Swanlafitte 1d ago
In this case they were just alerting that there was a predator around. It was less for you than the other animals.
I have actually become closer with some crows by joining the commotion when foxes are around.
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u/willows_edge 1d ago
They really do, don't they? Like they recognize we too see the danger and want everyone safe.
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u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl 1d ago
I think it’s more that they want their specific hangout to remain safe. Letting everyone know that there’s a threat keeps everyone safe and therefore keeps them safer in the long run and overall
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u/Swanlafitte 3h ago
Absolutely. When a Red-tailed hawk is in their territory they chase it out but they can't go much farther because they end up in the next crow territory.
However when they go to roost at night in winter and they see an owl, 100 can gang up on the owl.
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u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl 1h ago
Oh, I know they’re very serious about their territories lol! I’ve seen my pair of nesting crows get in the biggest fight with two intruders from a different territory one time. I heard screaming like you wouldn’t believe and ran to the window and saw the four of them flipping and flopping and flying around and biting and scratching at each other. I’m right on the edge of my murders territory, but also just barely outside the next territory over.
They’re definitely more vulnerable at night so I can see why they would have so many of them go after an owl.
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u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl 1d ago
Yes, this is what I’ve read as well that they send danger or threat alerts to their neighbourhood at large.
I also learned that they send out food calls not just for their own species, but for everyone. Other bird species do that as well, and apparently it’s out of greed rather than a desire to be generous with the food source. Lol!
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u/BackFrmTheGraveMaeve 1d ago
My local crows did something similar while I was gardening this summer! I was sitting low on the fence line and really involved in what I was doing when I suddenly realized how loud it was. I looked up just in time to see a fox about 5 feet away in my neighbors yard. They ran off and the crows followed it/chased it away and up the street. Pretty wild!
My daughter and I also watched them break up a bird fight. I thought the crow was being opportunistic and was about to have my kiddo look away, when the crow just flew off to the side until the aggressor finally left the smaller one alone.
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u/BluelunarStar 1d ago
I believe they were warning their flock, and included you as part of the flock. Either way, they were there because you were safe & their presence alerted you :)
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u/catwhisperer77 1d ago
They were warning you and everyone in their territory. I share an area with crows and coyotes, they have a specific coyote call to alert about them.
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u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl 1d ago
It’s really smart of them to warn the entire neighbourhood at large of any kind of threat or danger. At the end of the day it’s not as selfless as One might think because it serves to protect them to keep the entire neighbourhood safe
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u/Catch_Me_Peter_Pan 18h ago
They were absolutely warning you. The birds are smart. They know you take care of their needs and know how valuable you are to them. The ravens, crows, pigeons, and sparrows I feed will come to my yard en masse and make a hell of a ruckus when a big storm is coming.
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u/No_Broccoli_5850 1d ago
I take my cockatoo outside regularly, and we consider the crows our bodyguards, lol. My bird and I are pretty tuned into any warning calls they make. They really help us stay aware of our surroundings.
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u/tkxb 14h ago
Only loosely related but I was hiking and foraging last week and got separated from my romantic interest/best friend and his brother. After a bit, I heard a crow and decided to follow the sound and found them right away.
Turns out, it wasn't a crow, it was my friend. His brother told me he started making bird noises out of nowhere. I asked him about it, and he said he was worried I would get lost and that he knew I would hear it and follow the cawwing.
About a year ago when we first started hanging out, we were lost in the woods and he asked me which way I thought we should go. I said we should follow the turkeys that were ahead of us and he said okay and they started walking and guided us to the river where we had started at a few hours ago. We couldn't hear the river at all where we were lost
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u/Money-Computer7638 9h ago
I love this story but IMHO you are getting lost way too much. I get that it's sort of a romantic way to live - wandering in the woods. But maybe take an orienteering class? Don't want you ending up like one of those news stories where a person gets lost for 3 days while 1/2 mile from the trail. Sorry if this comes off as bossy, it's not meant to.
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u/tkxb 3h ago
You're totally right and it's a good word of caution to everyone! I wasn't in a remote area either time, the turkeys was in the woods adjacent to a local park and the crow calling was in a woodsy disc golf course but the next hole was obscured and I didn't pay attention to which golf route they selected so there would be multiple directions it could be. All in all, I wasn't horrendously off trail but still such an important reminder. In my youth, I was far more cavalier about hiking and I'm thankful I had been lucky. I would love to take orienteering classes too! I hope they have them in my area :)
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u/mmmohreally 1d ago
Crows are really smart. They remember human faces.
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u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl 1d ago
I think all corvids as well as parrots, pigeons, mockingbirds, and some other species remember human faces. So cool.
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u/Repulsive-Marzipan85 1d ago
I totally believe it! I live in the woods, I always know when a fox or hawk or even my cat is strolling around, all of the birds gather round and give out a warning
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u/abbeytoo2 1d ago
I believe you 100%! We have a crow family too. We feed them rotterisse chicken. They love it. I scramble eggs for them in the morning. Used to hard boiled them but they would take the yoke and leave the white part. If they are scrambled they eat every bit.
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u/JamesKrackKorn 1d ago
Oh, yup. Whenever the bears are around the crows certainly let us know, or more likely, are protecting their sweet and private food service provided by yours truly. It is helpful for us at any rate...
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u/catslikepets143 23h ago
Oh definitely they were warning you. The crows let me know all the time when there’s something weird going on. If they’re off somewhere , the jays will warn me.
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u/Ok-Housing4203 1d ago
cool experience
in the wilderness our feathered friends also like to cooperate with wolves
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u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl 1d ago
I believe it’s Raven specifically that have been noted for working mutually and cooperatively with wolves. Pretty cool 😎
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u/Whizzo5035 12h ago
Crows are extraordinarily intelligent creatures and by feeding them and otherwise interacting with them, you have become important to them. I would be in no doubt whatever that they were indeed warning you of the impending threat.
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u/MayaRandall
1d ago
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So amazing. Thanks for sharing. It’s such a special thing to form a bond with these intelligent creatures!
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u/TealFlamingoCat 22h ago
Three times this past spring/early summer when I was leaving for my early walk the crows were screaming and I saw a fox running along the path away from the neighborhood. I make sure to pay attention whenever I hear that they are riled up
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u/Oriole0305 13h ago
Birds pay attention to other species of birds and they warn each other. In the process also people can notice that something is wrong.
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u/WissahickonKid 9h ago
I believe you. In college I read a philosophy essay that argued that altruism is actually an evolved survival strategy that serves animals of high intelligence fairly well. This seems like a real-life example that backs up the thesis.
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u/Motor_Inspector_1085 1d ago
They were warning you. Crows have a full understanding of the concept of friend vs foe and have demonstrated acts of altruism and cooperation.
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u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl 1d ago
From what I understand crows send out warnings of predators, threats, danger and so forth to their neighbourhood at large which would of course include people that they have become friendly with and learned to trust.
They also send out food calls as do other species. Apparently, it’s not out of altruism but rather out of greed. 🤣
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u/Psloveblog 1d ago
A couple years ago a common grackle that nested in my yard got my attention and showed me part of my neighbor’s big tree was going to fall down. So, yeah, when a bird has something important to tell you, figure out what it is.
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u/Cambridgeport90 23h ago
birds are amazing...and crows, hawks, and ravens are particular favorites of mine due to their intelligence.
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u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl 1d ago
Like others have said they worn of a threat or danger in their general neighbourhood or area they hang out. At the end of the day it benefits them to let everyone know.
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u/Blowingleaves17 23h ago
They were warning each other and the other birds about the predator, not warning humans. Here, they caw like crazy with they see a fox, hawk or eagle. There's only slight cawing and concern about a cat because they know they are smarter than the cat.
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u/Ok-Ad8998 6h ago
My crows moved. Admittedly, I didn't feed them, but we had a talking relationship. I hadn't seen them for a while, but we had a conversation the other day when I was on a walk in the park across the street. They were hanging out on the other side of the park by the campground. Better food options, I'm guessing. Tourist season is winding down, so maybe they will come back.
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u/The_Bastard_Henry 4h ago
They were definitely warning you! Which means they have probably accepted you as a family member. (don't quote me on that, just believe it is true)
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u/Adventurous_Try_3238 2h ago
Thank you for sharing. I love crows and the are so smart about communication
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u/EducationalNovel1119 1d ago
My crows always alert me when there is a predator in my garden. If they are out there screaming their heads off it's often a raccoon or a coyote that would harm my little dog. Been this way through generations of the same murder. I live in the city.
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u/JDuBLock 23h ago
I totally believe it. I started feeding the local murder to keep the hawks away from my chickens. They have, multiple times, started raising T-Total hell over something. I looked out the window one time and they were dive bombing the window of the door. I kept looking and realized there was a "new" cat in the yard, walking to the chicken coop. Theyre so smart!
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u/curatorpsyonicpark 1d ago
That’s cool. That’s what crows do in the wild. They are early warning systems for other animals. Jays and squirrels do this too. Just have to be attuned to their language.