Clever crows

He’s a giant crow with a big appetite to match his size – we’ve called him Mr.Pecker because he has a powerful beak.   He is pecking because he’s frightened and who could blame a bird for being scared of humans?  Mr.Pecker is safe with us though.  He was brought in because of his injured wing, if he’d been left out he would have been victim of any predator that was around.  He would have fought back with his large beak but it wouldn’t have saved him.   Thanks to the gentleman who took the trouble to rescue him and bring him in.

Pecker is a very handsome crow, his feathers are the densest black ever and with a blue gloss on them.   He must be an adult because he is so big, we’ve never  had one in before who has been so large.   Crows peck to defend themselves and easily pierce the skin.  Ouch!   He’s in a smallish cage at the moiment so that he can rest his wing.  When he’s healed we’ll move him to the aviary.  There is no sign of a break so hopefully it will mend.

Crows are members of the corvid family of birds and are noted for their intelligence.   They have skills that are usually only seen in primates and dolphins, they can figure out the solutions to quite complex problems.   They not only use tools (sticks and stones) to retrieve food but have been known to make their own, fashioning sticks and leaves into just the right shape.

They are good at hiding food so they can come back to it when they are hungry and they get to know their carers.  If they like you, that’s o.k.   If anyone has been unkind to them they not only remember the face but pass the info on to other crows.   A crow attack might not just be a random event!