10 Amazing Facts About Iowa’s Most Misunderstood Bird

Iowa is home to a variety of fascinating wildlife, but few creatures are as misunderstood and interesting as the crow. These black-plumed birds are often associated with negative superstitions, death, and evil, but the truth is far more intriguing. Crows are not only hyper intelligent and social but play a vital role in the ecosystem, outside of just eating up carrion. They're also not nearly as scary as Alfred Hitchcock made them out to be in The Birds, but if you wrong them, they may never forget you...

Here are 10 amazing facts that will change the way you see Iowa's most misunderstood bird.

1. Crows Are Incredibly Smart

Crows are part of the corvid family, which includes ravens, magpies, and jays—some of the most intelligent birds on Earth. Crows have been known to solve complex puzzles and even use tools to get food. Their cognitive abilities are often compared to that of a seven-year-old human, making them one of the smartest animals in the animal kingdom.

2. They Recognize Human Faces

If you’ve ever wronged a crow, you might want to apologize. Crows have an extraordinary memory for human faces, especially those linked to negative or stressful experiences. A study by the University of Washington found that crows can remember human faces for up to five years and even alert other crows about "dangerous" individuals.

Additionally, you can befriend a crow. Believe it or not, these birds are known to engage in "gifting," where they leave small trinkets like keys, rocks, or even bones for people who feed them regularly. To start a relationship with a crow, simply offer food like nuts or seeds on a consistent basis and respect their space. Over time, they may start to trust you and even bring you small gifts in return.

3. They Live in Tight-Knit Family Groups

Crows are highly social birds that form close family units. They live in groups called “murders,” and young crows often stay with their parents for years, helping to raise new siblings. These birds cooperate on various tasks, including raising young, foraging for food, and defending their territory from predators.

4. They Have a Varied Diet

Although they’re often thought of as scavengers, crows eat much more than just carrion. They are omnivorous and enjoy a diverse diet of fruits, seeds, insects, small animals, and even human food scraps. This adaptability makes them successful in both rural and urban environments.

5. Crows Use Tools

One of the most fascinating aspects of crows is their ability to use tools to solve problems. In some cases, crows have been observed crafting their own tools from sticks to extract insects from hard-to-reach places. This shows an advanced level of problem-solving that’s rare in the animal world.

Additionally, they have an impressive ability to solve complex problems and use logic in ways that most animals can’t. In lab tests, they’ve been seen using multi-step solutions to access food, showing an advanced understanding of cause and effect. For example, some crows have been observed dropping nuts onto roads so passing cars can crack them open, then retrieving the food once it’s safe. This level of intelligence showcases their remarkable problem-solving skills and adaptability.

6. They Are Not Noisy for No Reason

Crows are vocal birds, and their loud cawing serves multiple purposes. These calls are used for communication within their groups, warning others of potential predators, and coordinating feeding efforts. Far from being "mindlessly noisy," crows have a sophisticated system of communication.

7. Crows Mourn Their Dead

When a crow dies, its family and fellow flock members gather around the body in what seems like a mourning ritual. Scientists believe that crows may be paying respect to their fallen companion, or they may be learning about potential dangers in the environment. This behavior shows a level of emotional complexity not often seen in birds.

Crows have been observed gathering around their dead in what appears to be a "funeral." When a crow dies, other crows will flock to the body and make loud calls. Sometimes it even leads to the group "mating" with the dead bird, before "ripping it to shreds". Basically, when a dead crow is spotted, it has the characteristics of food, an intruder, and a mate, so the living crows react to it as if it were all three simultaneously. Scientists also believe this behavior is not just mourning, but also a way for the crows to learn about potential dangers in the area. These gatherings demonstrate both their strong social bonds and their ability to learn from each other’s experiences.

8. They Are Not Bad Luck

Crows are often associated with death or bad luck due to their dark plumage and eerie calls, but these beliefs are rooted in superstition, not fact. In many cultures, crows are actually seen as symbols of transformation, change, and even wisdom. Spotting a crow in Iowa should be seen as a reminder of nature’s balance rather than a bad omen.

Get our free mobile app

9. Crows Help Control Pests & Clean Up Decay

Crows play a vital role in controlling pest populations. They feed on insects and rodents, helping to keep these populations in check. In this way, they act as natural pest control agents, which benefits both agriculture and ecosystems in Iowa. Instead of being seen as nuisances, they should be appreciated for their ecological contributions. They also eat carrion and clean up dead and decaying animals along roadways and across the wilds.

10. Crows Can Mimic Sounds

While parrots are famous for their ability to mimic human speech, crows are also capable of mimicking a wide range of sounds, including human voices. Some crows in captivity have been taught to say words or imitate noises from their surroundings, such as car alarms or barking dogs. This vocal flexibility is yet another testament to their incredible intelligence and adaptability. Did you know that crows were thought to be witches, or the familiars of witches, based on their intelligence and mimicry?

Crows are way more than the superstitions that surround them. These intelligent, social birds play a crucial role in Iowa's ecosystem and offer incredible insights into our natural world. By understanding their nature, we can begin to see crows as the remarkable creatures they are, and their place in the ecosystem. After all, crows are more than just your local highway clean-up crew; they're really quite amazing!