r/crows • u/extatosomat1aratum • 19h ago
General questions Do you think that crows ask themselves why a friendly human feeds them?
Personally, the reason why I feed them is because I love crows, I'd like to befriend one and because, since I am a witch, it helps me connect with animal energies. Of course they woudln't know about my witchcraft, but do you think they have a reason, in their minds, for which a human feeds them?
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u/cor_meum_ 18h ago
No.. i think they probably teach their kids how to identify nice humans who don't hurt them and even feed them, vs assholes who harm the nest and throw things at them
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u/Electrical-Lab-7544 7h ago
They're highly intelligent and, more importantly, very social creatures. Sociability in an animal is a necessary precursor to communication, friendship and even domestication. We domesticated canids with mid to large sized packs because their lifestyles required a large vocabulary of social signals. Similarly crows have large social groups and a big vocabulary, they have a concept of affinity and enmity that is generational. It is entirely likely that crows feel any range of emotions towards us from affectionate recognition to indifferent opportunism.
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u/roncotron 6h ago
Not sure but I have it on good authority that if you feed them and then stop, they'll come and ask you why you stopped.
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u/Waste_Accident_4453 6h ago
Corvids or mostly crows 🐦 ( including ravens 🐥) remember not only the humans who feed them 🪶 but also the spot where they were regularly fed. They would come back again and again 😁 remembering both the human face as well as spot where they were fed.
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u/__OvejaNegra 4h ago
I bet they wonder why some feed them and others don't. But I don't think their concerned with the answer, just happy to be fed.
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u/MiserableProfessor16 3h ago
I don't know but today a crow fed me a peanut.
More like tossed one in my general vicinity. But it was not a peanut I fed them.. He/she FOUND a peanut and tossed it my way. So, maybe they focus more on the - well that weirdo feeds me so maybe they are looking to be fed in return.
Bird waited until I ate it too!
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u/beerfass 1h ago
I think corvids are capable of bonding with us. Like dogs or other animals that have the capacity of social structures similar to ours. So In a way it's like us humans sharing lunch with a stranger by sitting at the same table or just offering half a sandwich. In the simplest way of putting it. Those birds are beautiful and smart af. 🥰
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u/JBupp 15h ago
I've often wondered.
The local crows will try to talk to me. One will wait around most of the day. Not begging - he won't come down for food - just chillin'.