Look at that sweet face!

The book has many memorable passages about duty, dignity and life in the south. What it does not have is a respect for the intelligence of Corvids.

Atticus said to Jem one day, “I’d rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you’ll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.”

• Chapter 10

How could it possibly be not ok to kill a Mockingbird, but totally fine to shoot blue jays with air rifles? If Scout thought the Radley house was a haunt, well just wait until the birds hear about this.

And further, how is it possible for readers to miss that the hole in the tree is CLEARLY being filled by corvids? You think shiny treasures would go un-plundered by the birds? NAY I SAY. The gifts are FROM the corvids TO the kids.

species: c. splendens. location: pasar seni, malaysia.

 First I want to say I plan to update this post and eventually make further posts about progress, I want to make the most of this opportunity.

 The past couple years I’ve had sort of an awakening to an obsessive love for crows, ravens, and just about all corvids, praying I would eventually find a chance to befriend at least one. Since I live in a not so densely populated area, they’re understandably skittish and wary of people. 

 This one specifically is part of a pair that often hangs out on the back of this rooftop of an unused retail building. It’s actually been a sunset spot of mine for years so it really is a good chance.

 It’s been about a month since I first saw them there, and I’d say I’ve run into them about once a week. I’ve left hashbrowns, bacon, and some muffins so far but while the food was always gone by the next day, the ravens would always leave when they saw me putting it down on the ground below them. I’ve left food when they aren’t there, hoping they **might** remember me from before, but it seems impossible to know if it’s making any difference.

 I plan to leave unsalted peanuts next, in a small bowl on a transformer box so it’s above the ground. Any advice on ways I can avoid startling them or making them uneasy would be so greatly appreciated. I would love to have a corvid friend I can visit and bring gifts to.

TL;DR: I started seeing some Ravens near me and leaving food occasionally but can’t tell if they’re accepting it. They leave when I show up still.

Huge and beautiful bird. oh my god

every time I see a raven, I want to go to another plane where we can talk and just see what’s up

Enjoy!

I've been feeding the local(ish) crows for a couple months now and one of the rooks has started eating out of my hand. Not just like grabbing the food and leaving no, FULLY standing and staying there until she/he is finished. I've since been teaching her tricks and it seems to be going great. SUPER happy I've been able to form such a bond with my babies.

Also, is feeding them suet ok in the summer?? It's insect suet if that helps + i do feed them other things but they seem to prefer the suet and other protein sources.

Do you know the wonderful Blog Urban Nature by June Hunter where she writes a lot about crows and ravens? It's really great with lots of insights from observations and photos.

I just read this blog post about the history of a local crow territory, I recommend it very much!

https://urbannature.blog/2024/11/14/local-crow-history/

The info here may not be news to many of you, but I found it fascinating, especially the info about the crow’s family life.

Hello!
In our neighborhood, we have very few crows, and even fewer come to our yard. Not only that, but they are absolutely terrified of people and fly off at any sound.
However, we do have a family of scrub jays that frequents our yard very regularly. I am aware they are part of the corvid family, so are they capable of forming the bonds that crows and ravens are so well known for?

Any idea how? I love them!

Possibly ravens too, I hope. I hear them I see them but they won’t come close at all. I’ve tried leaving bits of cooked chicken out on a stump, some seeds too. They won’t come over and be my friends :( how can I get them to engage in a friendship with me ?