The Absent Uncle: Crows calling

By: 
DC Schultz, guest columnist

A few days ago, I was fortunate enough to enjoy a quiet morning on our front porch. It was a beautiful, cool morning, no noise.

The only sounds came from the neighborhood crows. It seems we have a flock of about five or six regular participants. 

They communicate loudly and regularly. And what a language they have. A certain number of caws, slower or faster. A bit more intense or more relaxed. I so wished I understood. I see the interaction, movements, but just cannot remember the exact calls between the birds that predicated the action or movement of the flock. It is unquestionably a language, not so much different than what we use between us to spread the alarm, share knowledge, and the basic, here I am, where are you. 

But the crows – yes, we can hear them. Those caws back and forth. Sometimes it is intense, two or more debating the issues. Other times it seems they are just exchanging information. Sometimes, just a single bird calling out. What are they saying? It fascinates me. I probably should record it, document the subsequent movements, and maybe able to understand what is being communicated. 

I’m sure some ornithologist somewhere has already done the research. They probably can interpret what I am hearing. By observing the behavior after hearing the caws, it can probably be deduced what is being communicated. 

But to me? It is somewhat of a mystery; and I am so fortunate to observe the sounds, the action, and watching the behaviors of those birds. I am only hearing and seeing the behavior – not understanding the conversation that precluded the movement. It’s a good mystery, let your imagination interpret those sounds.

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The Brandon Valley Journal

 

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Brandon, SD 57005
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