The intelligence of crows

[nagantino]

I was set up in a field yesterday hoping to bring in some winter wood pigeons. As I walked across the field I put up 100 plus birds, pigeon and crows. Oh well.

I set up having observed the field for some days. There was no action for a while then some woodies came into my pattern. No joy. I was using a new gun, Benelli s/a and it was taking a while to get used to. Been to a sporting shoot but this is different.

No birds untill around 3.30 lots of crows began to show an interest and I began to take some good kills. One crow fell winged in front of the hide and I went out to dispatch it. I had turned down a leg of a beech table for the job. As I approached the crow it began to run. As I caught up it dropped "dead". I dispatched it but knew it was still living. Funny that. Later I hit 2 birds, 1 falling stone dead, but the other was a runner. Boy did it run. As I caught up to it doesnt it fall dead. Head to the side wings out. It was playing possum and very much still alive. Has anyone noticed this phenomena/

Found this site also.

 

/www.ted.com/index.php/talks/joshua_klein_on_the_intelligence_of_crows.html

[ShropshireJohn]

Hmm v.interesting! Probably one of the reasons why most people are reluctant to send their dogs to fetch fallen crows, beak vs eye

[tweedledee]

never under estimate crows ,very smart birds.

[mft135]

Funny this should come up i had the same thing happen to me early this year when i was protecting my ducks, the dam crows were stealing the eggs from the nesting boxes outside. same deal the crow was winged it seen me coming and it played dead. but it got a shock another .410 sorted it out.

[mossy835]

went out years ago when my lab was alive, sent her out two pick up a dead crow, but when went two pick it up it took a peck at her, after that she did not want two pick up any more, took a bit of doing but she did.