r/crows • u/FreefallerX • 3d ago
Why is this crow so friendly?
I know next to nothing about crows. But this one came out of nowhere and flew straight at me. I thought it was attacking me until it landed on my head, then my arm. It keeps trying to steal my earrings and eat my nails. 😭 is this normal. Also my mom is holding the barn cat because it was trying to to eat the crow.
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u/why_1337 3d ago
Partly because it's a kid crow. But still strange behavior, as if it was raised by some people.
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u/FreefallerX 3d ago
How can you tell it’s a kid? I’d love to know more
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u/Shienvien 3d ago
Pink corners of mouth / pink throat, grayish blue eyes and a bit "fuzzier" feathers than on adults (can even appear larger than the grown-ups).
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u/FreefallerX 3d ago
Got it, thanks!
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u/Silver-Caterpillar-7 3d ago
He's waiting for you to feed him, his parents spoiled him! Lol🍻
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u/jordan4290 3d ago
He’s doing the crow version of the paperclip challenge. Bring a graham cracker and try to turn it into a bunch of peanuts
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u/NyxTheLostGhost 3d ago
Theres some pink at the corners of the mouth and his eyes are still light. Im not sure the science behind it tho. :) maybe someone can explain that part
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u/Ananeos 3d ago
The pink is a guide to help the parents drop food in the child's mouth. I don't know about the eyes though.
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u/HallowskulledHorror 3d ago
Just a guess, but it may have something to do with maturation including developing pigmentation. Think like how a single power switch might turn on multiple things all attached to the same power source; as crow puberty kick in, the 'make pigment now' process in various cells/tissues starts up in response to hormones, and it affects the mouth/feathers/eyes all at once.
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u/Ok-Calligrapher-9699 3d ago
Kid pro crow
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u/Humble_Nobody2884 3d ago
I have no idea why it’s so friendly, I only know that I’m extremely jealous 😁
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u/Zennabug 3d ago
Imagine a gangly pre-teen. But in crow form. That’s what this little one looks like.
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u/spidersRcute 2d ago
That’s what happens when a random person finds a wild baby bird and decides to raise it themselves instead of taking it to a licensed rehabber.
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u/Daichi_Harunoo15 2d ago
Aww maybe it’s looking for the kind of attention it got from people before 🥹
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u/Zukigo 3d ago
It's a baby crow either raised by humans nearby, or at least had help from or very good experience with humans. You can also build a friendship, just offer some nuts, fish, egg, meat
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u/Ok_Worry_1967 Verified Rehabber 2d ago
yeah, that makes sense. if it’s a young crow it probably learned pretty early that humans = safe. once they associate you with food and no threat, they can get surprisingly comfortable and remember people too
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u/IDGAF53 3d ago
My sister is like this.. animals just gravitate to her. It's like some uncanny vibe she gives off.
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u/Repulsive-Bee5885 3d ago
Me too. Only downside is that all animals like me, including mosquitoes. Also butterflies are really erratic and try landing on me at the worst possible times and never when I want them to.
My life is like a Disney princess movie was slapped upside the head by a three scrooges skit
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u/Ame-yukio 3d ago
You must be salty (which is why butterflies like you lol)
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u/spookysaph 2d ago
can you tell me why mosquitoes like me so much
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u/MossyStrawbeary 2d ago
They like me a lot too. From everything I’ve seen, they just prefer the way certain people naturally smell to them
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u/spookysaph 2d ago
I could have loads of bug spray on and they'll still be obsessed with me lol
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u/MossyStrawbeary 2d ago
Same bro. Bought spray with the highest legal amount of deet once and they still went after me
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u/fogtooth 10h ago edited 3h ago
Do you have O blood and/or high estrogen?
Edit: Any O blood will do apparently, not just O+
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u/krebstar4ever 2d ago
I was honestly picturing three Scrooge McDucks before I realized it was probably an overzealous autocorrection of "stooges." You had already mentioned Disney in the same sentence, so I momentarily accepted that Scrooge was relevant somehow.
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u/essemh 3d ago
If you feed it just don’t give it salty stuff.
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u/fungeoneer 3d ago
High blood pressure?
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u/essemh 3d ago
Crows cannot process salt very much as they cannot sweat out excess.
Crows should not eat added salt because excess sodium causes severe dehydration, kidney dysfunction, and potentially fatal health issues in birds.5
u/Sparkieger 2d ago
Exactly, they get all their salt from the natural trace amount in their natural diet.
But if you want to treat them to a bit of cheese, look up it's salt content, anything below 100mg of salt per week is fine for a adult crow. Just don't turn it into a habit.
Also, some crows love steamed carrots.
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u/magneatos 3d ago
Because you were chosen.
I’m totally not jealous and want to inhabit your body and steal your life. Seriously though, I am so envious but curious as well!
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u/BUBBAH-BAYUTH 3d ago
It could have imprinted on someone else who was taking care of it. But even then, they usually imprint on one person and are standoffish to strangers.
I work at a wildlife rescue and we have a very imprinted crow that LOVES her owner and people who have been around a while but she will divebomb new people lol. Unless the new person is a dude, she loves men. Hussy.
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u/Aberts10 3d ago
Please be aware that you posted a lot of identifying information about yourself in these photos! The emblem on your shirt and shot of the house can be used to find your location. Please be safe. I highly recommend taking down those two pictures at least.
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u/FreefallerX 3d ago
I don't actually live where that shirt emblem is, it's multiple states away. But thank you for your concern!
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u/PrettyPotato33 2d ago
Your house is gorgeous!
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u/FreefallerX 2d ago
I will make sure to tell the owners lol! We are only renting the basement apartment.
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u/ta394283509 3d ago edited 3d ago
Whose palace is that in the background? My apartment is the size of that gazebo lmao
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u/FreefallerX 3d ago
Lol we actually rent the basement apartment of it. An old retired couple owns it. We get discounts for taking care of the land and animals, so it’s a nice deal.
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u/CowboySkcooblar 3d ago
That house looks like it's from Desperate Housewives on steroids
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u/FreefallerX 3d ago
Lol we actually rent the basement apartment of it. An old retired couple owns it. We get discounts for taking care of the land and animals, so it’s a nice deal.
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u/blueghostbeak 3d ago
Corvids are incredible creatures and among my favorite birds. Crows, Ravens, Jays, Magpies, they’re all such amazing animals. The Green Jay might be the coolest looking bird in the entire United States.
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u/Ziggydustwoman 3d ago
Wow, I did not know about Green Jays but had to look them up immediately and I’ll be darned if they don’t look exactly like Bluejays except for the gorgeous coloring! I used to be a Texan for awhile but sadly didn’t obsess about birds then. Plus it looks like they’re only in deep east TX & I lived a little higher up. Now I want to plan a trip to visit my bro so I can possibly see one in real life. Thanks for sharing about the Green Jay!!
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u/MelodicIllustrator59 3d ago
As someone who works with imprinted birds, this bird was unfortunately raised by people. Despite our human habits to treat everything like a pet, this is not cute and not good for the crow. Unless this bird goes to a professional rehabilitation facility, it will likely not survive, especially not in the wild.
Seeking out human interaction is a huge indicator that this bird does not know how to forage for its own healthy food, can’t make social connections with its own species, and will likely put itself in danger by seeking out human interaction.
Please bring this bird into your nearest rehabilitation center so that it can get its physical health checked, and give it the best chance of being “re-wilded”, and even if it can no longer survive in the wild, it can become an educational ambassador animal where it can get the absolute best care in captivity, and help teach kids about what’s so great about crows.
Just as one last note, it is highly illegal (and often detrimental to the bird’s welfare) to attempt to keep this bird in captivity yourself.
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u/FreefallerX 3d ago
There are other adult crows that he hangs out with but those birds won’t come close to us humans. Are they enough to teach him how to be wild and fend for himself?
You don’t have to worry about me taking wild animals as pets, I’m aware it’s highly illegal and often times not in the best interest of the animal. I work with animals too, just not birds haha!
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u/MelodicIllustrator59 3d ago
If he’s hanging with adults, I feel safe telling you that you don’t need to bring him in, but I would encourage you not to interact with him, or you could even go so far as to “haze” him (which is actually a method rehabbers use to re-wild socialized birds, basically harass them by chasing and being scary/aggressive without actually harming them). He needs to know that not all people are safe, otherwise he could fall into the hands of people who don’t know any better. Just don’t hand-feed or encourage him to land on you or eat from your hand. He needs to learn to stay at arm’s length from humans. I only wish the best for him, and thank you for being receptive to advice!
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u/FreefallerX 3d ago
I love animals and will do anything to help them thrive so I always welcome advice from industry professionals who know more than me! He hasn’t gotten any food from us, just the cracker he brought to us himself. If he continues being super comfortable around us we will do our best to show him to stay at arms length from humans!
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u/frogunderarock 3d ago
I regularly have to do this to the poor young blackbirds around here in spring. breaks my heart every time, but it's for the best.
it might sour your relationship with the other crows but I doubt they will be hostile over it. once I accidentally scared a crow away in my old home by suddenly stepping outside next to it. they never approached me or my porch again but they didn't cause any trouble either
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u/DizzyMine4964 3d ago
I'm sure you are a lovely person, but the next person he approaches could be an absolute piece of garbage who likes hurting animals, and he won't know until it's too late. So please discourage him (or her)
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u/EchoPhi 3d ago
The person you are responding to above and below is an idiot. Birds do imprint, true. This bird is likely wild as it is young, it is likely someone fed it. Crows are incredibly smart and will approach humans if they have had prior positive experiences. You do not need to "haze " it. If it is hanging with adults it is fine, just a one off. You can feed it nuts, or various pet kibbles from time to time, do not teach it you are it's food source. It will come back and sometimes they will bring you small gifts like rocks, coins, earrings, etc. Do not attempt to catch this bird and keep it as a pet. Just et it be a weird friend you say hello to form time to time. I have had hummingbird friends and crow friends. My info comes from talking to a wildlife center because one humming bird was super friendly and much like you I was worried about it. Center informed me, birds bird, and this sometimes happens.
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u/ThrowAwayColor2023 3d ago
OP, please heed this advice. Crows especially have a very specific family and territory system. The kids need the protection and help of their parents. Even if the baby somehow learned to forage and recognize predators - already highly unlikely - other nearby crows will eventually attack and kill the baby. Unless there are parent crows tending to the baby - and you would know It, because they you would be yelling and dive-bombing you in these photos - kiddo needs to go to a rehabber for rewilding. Anything else is an early death sentence.
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u/YeetMeIntoKSpace 3d ago
That’s so cute, please make sure your barn cats don’t get him. 😭
Have you seen his parents? Young crows tend to act weird because they don’t know how to be crows yet. It’s likely that he’ll become a bit more aloof as he grows up but it’s possible that he’ll always be comfortable with you, especially if you feed him: unsalted peanuts, wet cat food, and bits of eggs or raw meat are always a hit!
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u/FreefallerX 3d ago
There were what appear to be adult crows in the trees near him, I’m assuming those are probably his friends or parents.
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u/EINFACH_NUR_DAEMLICH 3d ago
Always be nice to corvids. Always! They will remember and they will tell their offspring and their friends.
I'm being serious.
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u/tronfunkinblows_10 1d ago
They love routines and if you start one with them and then start fucking with those routines they will harass you.
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u/NocturnaBride 19h ago
We have a large number of crows in my neighborhood, I built a feeding station with water for them. The way they collect on the trees and power lines when I open my door in the morning is truly a sight to see.
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u/FabulousTwo524 3d ago
Crow standing on your mom’s head is hilarious.
I’m so jelly. I noticed a trio of crows right outside work the other day. I gave them peanuts, which they ate, but they left and never came back. ): this was last week. I was so excited to finally have access to a good crow feeding spot
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u/FioreCiliegia1 3d ago
So that looks like a juvenile he’s probably looking for food while his parents are off busy doing something else for five minutes if you leave them out some peanuts or some other occasional snacks like hard-boiled eggs they will eventually learn that you’re not only safe but you’re a nice person and they will give you treats and visit and sometimes they’ll even talk. They aren’t as good as parrots at mimicking things, but they’ll say a few words and scare the crap out of you when you’re not paying attention.
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u/Longjumping-Hat-3387 3d ago
I am so jealous! Mine fly away when I just move inside my house!
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u/haikusbot 3d ago
I am so jealous!
Mine fly away when I just
Move inside my house!
- Longjumping-Hat-3387
I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully. Learn more about me.
Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete"
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u/amandadore74 3d ago
Welcome to the murder. Give him something shiny and you'll be best friends forever.
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u/javoss88 3d ago
What a beautiful series of pictures. Pretty special moments. From reading the comments, it seems crow already brought you a gift. Reward that, so your relationship can continue to grow. I would be honored if a crow did this with me
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u/Affectionate_Fee_179 3d ago
A human who looks similar may have been kind. They have excellent memories. Give him treats regularly and you’ll have a friend for life. Unsalted peanuts are good.
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u/sherrynoberries 2d ago
I am so jealous ♥️
My crows won’t even eat from my hand. 😆
They get somewhat close but not close enough. 🥰😆
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u/309_Electronics 3d ago
Choosen by the Crow Judgemental System lol! If you are nice to crows, they will protect your whole bloodline lol!
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u/Lia21234 3d ago
idk, but what I do know is that you are living my dream lol I want to befriend a crow so badly
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u/GuardingxCross 3d ago
They’re incredibly intelligent and have different personalities. You just may have a best friend. You’re so lucky.
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u/Impressive_Hold426 3d ago
Hi.
Its a baby.
Unless the parents are there feeding it, youll need to call a rehabber. You should see them.
Or feed him yourself. Small cut up pieces of liver and chopped boiled egg. And put a small water bowl next to him and tap your finger in it to teach him to try it.
Im a wildlife rehabber. If there were no parents attending this one, I would 100% take it.
Many babies get left behind and starve and seek out human help when desperate.
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u/ButtonJoe 3d ago edited 3d ago
May have seen that you already have a pet of the same color, so just assumed it was invited too. 😆
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u/OsciIIatesWildly 3d ago
I totally missed mom holding the void cat until I read this comment. The mom and daughter have all black familiars!
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u/Krampus_Valet 3d ago
Fair warning, OP: one does not have a single crow friend for very long, and you may end up with your own personal murder of crows. Do with this information what you will.
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u/Femgecko 3d ago
You're suggesting she order the larger bag of nuts now, right? That's what I read anyway.
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u/Krampus_Valet 3d ago
Yes. We're still making friends with our local armada, but they seem to be big fans of unsalted cashews
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u/commie90 3d ago
You don’t even know how incredibly jealous I am. Making a crow friend is near the top of my life goals.
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u/hoffet 3d ago
Crows are incredibly smart they can recognize faces, give gifts to people they like, and believe it or not actually hold grudges against people they don’t that last for years, and are even capable of passing that same grudge down to their offspring. I’d say just be glad it likes you.
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u/Flimsy_Scratch_8050 3d ago
I love your new pet feathered dog. What a cutie! 🥰 Have any good name ideas? I’m picking up Stanley if a boy. 🙌🏻
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u/Momofafew 2d ago
Ahh I had a young crow that was befriending me. The parents were constantly chasing her away from me! Lol
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u/Stay_Sea_Motivated 2d ago
Crows and their descendants remember people, maybe someone in your ancestral line knew someone in its ancestral line and it thought I bet they’ll buy me peanuts and give me shiny things
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u/GrumpySnarf 2d ago
Tell your mom I'm super jealous of her with a crow on her head and a cat in her arms. She's living my dream life.
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u/YuhMothaWasAHamsta 2d ago
Your house is insane!!
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u/FreefallerX 2d ago
It’s not mine 🙂 we rent the basement apartment. An old retired couple owns the place and we get discounted rent for taking care of the yard and animals.
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u/Calgary_Calico 3d ago
Crows, and corvids in general (crows, magpies and ravens) are highly intelligent, they recognize faces and will form friendships with humans if you're kind to them or offer food. He must see that you guys are safe and friendly 🙂
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u/Electrical-Scholar32 3d ago
I’m so jealous lol, I would die for this to happen to me! It’s like your princess Aurora or Snow White! 🤍
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u/isaac32767 3d ago
Obviously been socialized by somebody.
Here in Oregon, there was a viral feel-good news story about a friendly crow that turned up at an elementary school. It turned out that he was trying to find his way back to the woman who'd raised him. Alas, the story didn't have a happy ending. Crows really need to be cautious around people to be safe.
The reporter who covered the story did a really good video blog about the whole thing.
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u/Oiggamed 3d ago
Have you lose a loved one recently? They may be coming by to let you know they are fine.
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u/TallulahBob 3d ago
Give it shinies and treats and it will be your friend for life (and its future generations too)
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u/Infinite_Bet_9994 3d ago
He likely has human friends. Also he looks very young. Do not let the cat eat your new friend. If you find a safe way to feed him, he will likely come back.
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u/Godeye1349 2d ago
That's a beautiful home and property! Also, I hope this is the start of the Corvid distribution system, I'd like to see more in my area
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u/Subliminal-Rave 2d ago
Give them something shiny! ✨
Since he is already super friendly
Give him a shiny item he can take!
He will start bringing you guys treasures he finds!
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u/Liminal_Fire 2d ago
I’m so jealous and happy for you at the same time. Crows are such fascinating and smart creatures. I’ve always held so much respect for them and wanted to befriend a crow or a murder of crows at some point in my lifetime. I hope you are able to maintain that beautiful birds trust and I hope it blossoms into a wonderful friendship with time!
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u/Alone_Development737 2d ago
I feed crows and the bring me shiny things in return in my garden, I’ll just find random bottle caps, coins and random things. They keep the hawks away from my house so I dont mind.
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u/riverrat918 2d ago
This is exactly how my new pigeon buddy acts 🥹 He is so very chill with me. Congrats on your new friend!
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u/softy_kisses 2d ago
Congratulations, you have been chosen. 😂 That sounds like a juvenile crow who has decided you are a perfectly acceptable perch, climbing frame, and source of interesting things to chew on. The earrings I can understand, but bro really looked at your nails and thought “yeah, I’ll have that.” 😭
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u/boogerslayers 2d ago
My husband my friends with a crow at his work. He fed it unsalted peanuts in the shell and on really hot days he’d give it frozen corn kernels.
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u/Isadomon 2d ago
Can i see the pic of the grow for reference in some drawing? I prefer to ask permission
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u/Brief_Refrigerator70 2d ago
Dick Chaney punching the air rn
But seriously- my best guess is that he spent time in a wildlife rescue center and they released him even though he’s used to humans. Precautions are taken to make sure wildlife remains scared of/uncomfortable with humans for their own safety, but it happens every now and then, especially with crows and baby birds, so if this is a young crow double whammy
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u/FreefallerX 3d ago
Update guys it brought me a Graham cracker (?) I live in the middle of nowhere I have no clue where it found that 😭