But what is the origin of the terms a “murder of crows”, a “parliament of owls”, and a “gaggle of geese’”? Upon further investigation, I learned that the term “murder of crows” originates from folklore: flocks of crows held trials to judge and punish members of the flock that had transgressed. If found guilty, the “defendant” was executed (that is, “murdered”) by the flock. There may be some factual basis to this, as crows are territorial and may kill another crow that has encroached on their turf. https://lenichoir.org/fr/2013/04/05/a-murder-of-crows-a-parliament-of-owls/#:~:text=But%20what%20is%20the%20origin,has%20encroached%20on%20their%20turf.
Thanks for sharing this article. I am absolutely fascinated by corvids. We had a family of crows that I occasionally fed and "chatted" with when we lived in Seattle. I used a particular tongue click when I was out in the yard to let them know it was safe. Some would respond in kind. A few years later I realized the matriarch was teaching the click to her offspring! Amazing "bird brains".
The first photo that attracted me to Kerry's work was that rear view of a crow holding straw in it's mouth. My small print of that has place of pride in my house.
I once had the privilege of spending a week on the Farallon Island bird sanctuary. My task involved recording the daily condition of gull nests. The ph.d gull researcher there wore a mask whenever he banded gulls so that they wouldn't attack him as he walked around the island. Gulls might not be as smart as crows but they definitely recognize individual humans--more than we can say about them.
All the stories give me a bright spot to offset the gloom that creeps in. There is a whole world of fascinating, interconnected -ness. Thanks for the illumination.
But what is the origin of the terms a “murder of crows”, a “parliament of owls”, and a “gaggle of geese’”? Upon further investigation, I learned that the term “murder of crows” originates from folklore: flocks of crows held trials to judge and punish members of the flock that had transgressed. If found guilty, the “defendant” was executed (that is, “murdered”) by the flock. There may be some factual basis to this, as crows are territorial and may kill another crow that has encroached on their turf. https://lenichoir.org/fr/2013/04/05/a-murder-of-crows-a-parliament-of-owls/#:~:text=But%20what%20is%20the%20origin,has%20encroached%20on%20their%20turf.
Thanks for sharing this article. I am absolutely fascinated by corvids. We had a family of crows that I occasionally fed and "chatted" with when we lived in Seattle. I used a particular tongue click when I was out in the yard to let them know it was safe. Some would respond in kind. A few years later I realized the matriarch was teaching the click to her offspring! Amazing "bird brains".
The first photo that attracted me to Kerry's work was that rear view of a crow holding straw in it's mouth. My small print of that has place of pride in my house.
Thank you, Rachel!
Excellent! Thank you.
I once had the privilege of spending a week on the Farallon Island bird sanctuary. My task involved recording the daily condition of gull nests. The ph.d gull researcher there wore a mask whenever he banded gulls so that they wouldn't attack him as he walked around the island. Gulls might not be as smart as crows but they definitely recognize individual humans--more than we can say about them.
Didn't know that, thanks! We have a friend in the bay area who's done that survey several times.
All the stories give me a bright spot to offset the gloom that creeps in. There is a whole world of fascinating, interconnected -ness. Thanks for the illumination.
Love this. Love you mor❤️
Back atcha.