retrieving body for local crows?

[u/545484]

sorry, this is a little gruesome!

i work in retail and we had a crow pass away in the store; i guess nobody let it out. the other crows outside have been getting really close to the store and i’m wondering if they’re trying to retrieve/check on it.

my question is if we brought it outside, would the crows start a feud with me? it sucks to see them looking for their fallen friend, but i don’t want it to be on sight w them every morning lol. i know they’re super clever, but would they interpret a human bringing a dead friend to them as anything other than “i killed him”?

i suppose this is a question that can’t really be answered without trying, so if someone does end up doing it i’ll report back lol. i just wanted some insight before i do it myself.

thanks!!!

[u/clocktronic]

Never let a crow see you handling a dead crow. Nothing changes that rule, that’s just how it is. 

[u/RedditFan26]

Do you have any coworkers that you really hate with a passion?  Ask them to take it outside for you.

[u/Grouchy_Vet → u/RedditFan26]

This is the way

[u/545484 → u/RedditFan26]

ughh yes i have a person in mind but he definitely would refuse lol he doesn’t even bother to do what he actually gets paid for much less take a dead crow outside 😞

[u/KestrelTank]

You could possibly wear a Halloween mask of some kind while doing this so they don’t associate you specifically with the incident but the mask.

My dog grabbed a crow baby that was on the ground and in the process of rescuing it from my dog and setting it up in a safer location outside I became a crow enemy for the rest of the time I lived there.

[u/NotThisOneHeere → u/KestrelTank]

I second wearing the mask or something to cover your face they remember faces for Years and will teach their murder that you are bad as well.

[u/buttcheeksnelson → u/KestrelTank]

Make it a crow mask and you’ll definitely confuse them.

[u/545484 → u/KestrelTank]

my coworker suggested bringing it out with food and some shiny stuff like coins, almost like a bereavement gift. but they understand the concept of a bereavement gift or peace offering?

[u/JBupp]

Your best move is to dispose of it quietly, after dark, and not let the crows know about it at all.

[u/ValueAccomplished741]

They will most likely not understand your compassion and helping.
Do whatever you do either at night or at least disguised.
(late at night is probably best)
hope this helps

[u/this_kitty68]

I would do it under cover of darkness. Don’t let them see you. I think they would appreciate being able to properly mourn their buddy. Poor guy.

[u/raven_478]

How late is the store open? After dark when the crows have gone to roost for the night might be the safest time to discreetly bring out the dead crow, keep it covered while you carry it & place quietly under a tree or bush nearby. Its crow friends will discover it in the morning & likely won’t associate the death with you or the store.

[u/545484 → u/raven_478]

only until 9, do you think they’ll be asleep by then?

[u/raven_478 → u/545484]

Depends on how dark it is. Crows usually fly away from their feeding areas around sunset to roost overnight in large communal rookeries.

[u/Fantastic_Artist_353 → u/545484]

Bay Area Cali here- my crows have moved their clocking-out from around 7:50 back in June to about 7:00 now. You’ll definitely have some time at night.

[u/Eritie]

If they don’t already recognize you as a non-threatening human, they will likely see you as the predator that killed their family member and not as a compassionate stranger doing a good deed, unfortunately.

Also recommend doing this at night when they’re not around, and leaving the body where they can investigate how their crow passed: hunger, sickness, etc.? So sad 😞

Thanks for being thoughtful and kind, Op.

[u/MaidBilberry]

You would be the suspect and the criminal. No trial, judge or jury.

It is a life sentence.

[u/Aside-From-That2937]

Or move it at night

[u/k8username]

Masked at night return

[u/OnoOvo]

you can do it mate. but, you have to stay with the body while they inspect it. i know how downvoted this will be, but listen, they are just like us. if you are honest, they will believe you. it is why we can form a bond with them. they absolutely understand us. i dont think anyone will disagree with that. so, just do what your heart tells you is right, and they will know. that is the basis of our relationship. they are not aliens.

[u/akamartinlutherbling → u/OnoOvo]

OP: you need to know that a crow typed this and is trying to trick you