Do crows remember who hurts them?

Answered by John Hunt

Indeed, crows have an incredible ability to remember the faces of humans who have threatened or harmed them. It’s quite fascinating how they can hold onto these memories for their entire lifetime. This research sheds light on the remarkable cognitive abilities of these birds.

One of the most intriguing aspects of this research is that crows not only remember the individuals who have harmed them but also share this information with other crows. When a crow encounters a dangerous person, it will scold and raise an alarm to warn other nearby crows. This behavior is known as mobbing, where a group of crows joins together to harass and drive away a potential threat.

What’s even more astonishing is that crows not only include their own family members in these mobs but also strangers. This suggests that they have a sophisticated way of communicating and sharing information about potential threats within their social network. It’s almost as if they have a built-in warning system to protect themselves and their kin.

I find it absolutely amazing how crows are capable of such complex social behavior. It makes me wonder about the intricate dynamics and relationships within their crow communities. Imagine the conversations they must have, sharing information and warnings about dangerous humans.

Personally, I have had a few encounters with crows in my life, and I can attest to their intelligence and ability to recognize individuals. There was one incident where I accidentally disturbed a crow’s nest while hiking in the woods. The crow, understandably upset, started cawing loudly and dive-bombing me. What struck me the most was that every time I returned to that area, even weeks later, the same crow would recognize me and continue its aggressive behavior.

This personal experience aligns perfectly with the research findings. It’s incredible to think that crows can remember and hold a grudge against a specific person for an extended period. It seems that once a crow has associated a face with a threat, it never forgets.

Crows possess an impressive ability to remember the faces of humans who have harmed or threatened them. They not only scold and mob these individuals but also share this information with other crows, including family members and strangers. This ability to remember and communicate about potential threats highlights the intelligence and social complexity of these remarkable birds.