White-necked raven (Corvus albicollis) at my campsite on the Nyika plateau in Malawi, 2007. I love these birds.All content © 2009 Pete McGregor
White-necked raven (Corvus albicollis) at my campsite on the Nyika plateau in Malawi, 2007. I love these birds.
There is such an intelligent spark in that eye.
ReplyDeleteHe/she is communicating with you.
ReplyDeleteI have a very tame Corvus (monedula) who took a disconcerting fancy to me (and the food I provided) last year, searching round the house windows, peering in, looking for me. This year he has a more suitable girlfriend, and now they both visit and peer regularly.
I'm always amazed by the huge variety of crows in the world. The jungle crows here in Japan are enormous and so smart that I often wonder if they will eventually claim our spot with cities and civilization!
ReplyDeleteI, of course, have great fondness for Corvids. They are intelligent, and who could not love birds that play joyfully. Not only that but they are the only birds who stick around and keep me company when all the others have long since left for somewhere with warmth and the sun. They are no fair weather friends, that much is certain.
ReplyDeleteZhoen, the crows and ravens have long been considered the most intelligent of birds, although they've recently been matched or possibly exceeded by kea (NZ's mountain parrot).
ReplyDeleteRR, that sounds almost Hitchcockian! ;^)
Miguel, yes, they're a hugely diverse and successful group. New Zealand's one of the few countries with no extant, native crows; we had one, now long extinct, and rooks have been introduced (they're considered pests, and are poisoned because they sometimes damage crops, but I think they're wonderful birds and always enjoy seeing them). My bet would certainly be on corvids to outlast us — they might do a better job than us, too.
Clare, I fully understand your appreciation for them in those circumstances. They're so alive, and to have something like them to share the Arctic with must be great comfort. I've noted how they appear frequently in your posts. Keep 'em coming!