It's been several years since I was struck on the back of my head by a crow. My initial hatred and desire for revenge have subsided, but I am still always aware and wary of The Crows. We have reached some sort of detente, even though I know they are my Enemy, and I will never again trust them.
I think my vigilance and suspicion is justified -- after all, they drew first blood. My experience is not uncommon, as this Langara College-designed map of common crow attack areas in Vancouver indicates. [CrowTrax] In fact, the map is crowd-sourced, so if you are swooped or struck, add your experience to the map! (Thx VanBuzz for the great story about the map!)
As if we needed any reminders as to how insidiously clever and ruthless this Enemy is... here are some interesting random tidbits I've collected:
They use complex tools... even more complex than imagined: they can make tools that only humans have been known to make previously.
They can solve complex problems, involving multiple steps: this crow can solve a problem involving eight steps.
A crow's brain can recognize numbers: and counting crows' neurons work just like humans.
And we already knew: crows recognize faces... and they know where you're hiding.
Though also just like us, sometimes hard work just doesn't pay off: crow versus pizza box.
And they hold funerals. (thx Devour)
Our only defense, other than carrying around a tennis racket (which I have been tempted to do), is education. PSA: from VanCity Buzz, 8 tips to prevent crow attacks.
