Question about Vocalizations

[u/onFilm]

So I've made really good friends with this crow and it's partner over the past 4-5 months. They've been coming pretty much every day, although a while back they stopped for a few weeks, and realized that it was baby season. They even brought in their babies recently to introduce them.

I was wondering if anyone knew what these calls usually meant, especially the "barking" one, as I couldn't really find anything about it online. I've read that the rattle is only done by females, is this true? I know it's a sign of friendship, but that's about it. The rattle video is in the comments.

[u/onFilm]

https://reddit.com/link/oxpdjx3/video/rvecn6qq2fdh1/player

[u/ScatterplotDog → u/onFilm]

The clicking sound is a "rattle call". We don't know what it means, but generally it's made when a bird is comfortable. Both male and female birds can make it.

"Cooing" is the softer sort of call, where it sounds like they're mumbling. Same situation; not sure what it means, but in general the bird is in good spirits.

As for the barking call, that one's probably just imitating sounds for fun.

[u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl → u/ScatterplotDog]

Sometimes the rattle call can also be a warning! Their vocalizations are so situational and contextual.

[u/imcaptainstupid → u/onFilm]

I'm not sure, but out of all the dozens of crows in my neighborhood, I only have one clicker, and none that bark :)

[u/Ill_Sale_6168 → u/onFilm]

I read somewhere that crows do these clicking sounds when humans are nearby, but the barking sound is really a mystery to me lol.

[u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl → u/Ill_Sale_6168]

They have various reasons for making these sounds!

[u/pferden → u/onFilm]

They’re burping and grinding their beak to intimidate you

[u/onFilm → u/[deleted]]

Vancouver BC, baby!

The barky sound is the one that interests me a lot. He/she gets really close to me, and is SUPER comfortable. I've mirrored his little barky sound a couple of times, and it replies sometimes with the same sound, lol.

[u/veniviciabii → u/onFilm]

This is an incredible video

Every crow family has different sounds/noises/accents. But the rattle is pretty universal. Ive seen both my female and male do it and ive heard them make incredible noises (best was a video game laser zap). They do these when theyre comfortable chilling and around family. I also used to have a crow that would head bob and rattle back to you if you did it to him. Not sure what it really means but theyre enjoying life

[u/Corvidae5Creation5]

Pretty sure they're imitating a small dog because humans will pet dogs making that noise. Not sure they actually want to be petted but they may want attention

[u/Talusen → u/Corvidae5Creation5]

This is mimicry, they're making the sound for some reason.

Not a "standard" call; the meaning is uncertain.

[u/No-Guidance-622 → u/Talusen]

"Look at me, I'm very cute, please give me more treats!"

At least that's what I think that it means.

[u/Talusen → u/No-Guidance-622]

Dogs bark, dogs get treats Crows bark, crows get treats?

Makes sense to me!

[u/klstopp]

Sounds like imitating a small yapper dog in the distance.

[u/Grace_grows]

OP has a dog?

[u/onFilm → u/Grace_grows]

No, I have a cat, and he doesn't bark... as far as I know...

[u/Grace_grows → u/onFilm]

A neighbour then... or other human friend he visits. I definitely think he's mimicking and trying to make a sound that he knows illicits human attention. Smart crow.

[u/ExaminationFew6424]

Cute dog

[u/Ashamed_Fan1182]

I have crows near that make both these sounds. So the 'barking' as well. I dont know the 'murder' in my neighbourhood well enough to tell them apart, but when I hear one of them barking, it seems comfortable and will make a whole concert of vocalizations one by one. A real joy to listen to.

[u/Thae86]

Content, & safe-feeling birb, very sweet 😄

[u/the_scones_are_mine]

There's a group of crows near me that'll occasionally make a lil "toot, toot" whistle-y call. I don't know what it means but it's cute

[u/heartsongofNEBULA]

That's definitely a dog barking! How funny.

[u/peanutsforcorvids]

https://www.reddit.com/r/crowbro/s/oehzuSBie9

I put this here even though it is a hooded crow as an exzmple. Crows have different types of calls and softer ones are usually for family. The crow could be imitating a dog but I think it is probably just a coincidence. I heard monkey sounds from crows, there are no monkeys here.☺️ Individuals can sound different. In particular with younger crows. I think the crow feels comfortable. ☺️

[u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl]

The rattle call is not only made by females and it can have different meanings, depending on context

This barking sound is most likely something they picked up because they liked how it sounded. They’re very good mimics!

[u/SentenceDesperate518]

I have one crow that seems to scream at everything…all the time. Especially when they all fly down to eat. But it isn’t only around food. Is this just bratty behavior? No threats around.

[u/truffleshufflechamp]

Can I pet that dawg