How to Befriend a Crow

Introduction

• Crows have complex relationships with humans, documented in the niche TikTok community "CrowTok."
• Nicole Steinke, known as @Tangobird, feeds crows from her home, making them minor TikTok celebrities.

Crows and Human Interaction

• Crows, part of the corvid family, have intelligent social systems similar to humans.
• They recognize human faces and can differentiate between friendly and threatening individuals.
• Crows sometimes bring gifts to humans, indicating a potential bond.

CrowTok Community

• CrowTok explores relationships between humans and corvids, featuring creators like Christie McManaman (@crowdsofcrows).
• McManaman's relationship with crows began with observing a crow waiting outside a client's house.
• TikTok videos often show crows visiting human friends and flying alongside their cars.

Behavior and Intelligence of Crows

• Around 50 species of corvids exist globally, each with unique behaviors.
• Crows possess higher intelligence, with studies indicating they can think about their own thoughts.
• Kevin McGowan, a Cornell ornithologist, notes their social systems and how they engage with larger groups.

Building a Relationship with Crows

• Establishing a connection with crows requires patience and routine.
• Start by finding local crows and offering preferred foods like unsalted peanuts.
• Crows must learn that a human is not a threat and that food is provided regularly.

Challenges and Considerations

• Feeding crows can lead to them becoming a neighborhood nuisance if not managed properly.
• It's essential to maintain balance and be aware of how feeding habits affect human neighbors.
• Steinke plans for continuity in crow feeding when she moves, involving neighbors in maintaining a feeding spot.

Conclusion

• Befriending crows takes time and effort but reflects a deeper responsibility beyond viral content.
• The real keys are patience, consistency, and understanding the impact on both crows and the local community.