Crow
Corvus brachyrhynchos common and familiar to almost everyone, the intelligent Crow is resourceful and always interesting to observe. Researchers at the University of Washington have done extensive work with Crows and some of their work is presented on the wonderful “NATURE” series on PBS.
You can view it on line here
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/a-murder-of-crows/introduction/5838/
This picture was taken at the Burke Museum on the UW Campus and the crow is sitting on a replica of a Tlingit ridicule pole “Wild Woman of the Woods” originally built circa 1912. More specifically it is sitting on a representation of money. From the Burke Collection information:
For three years, the original Dzunuk'wa figure glared down the beach at the owner's in-laws, who had not paid a marriage debt. Such "ridicule poles" were raised to shame someone who owed a debt to a chief. When the in-laws finally honored the debt, the pole was pivoted to face the water. Symbols of wealth--shield-shaped coppers--were then added to her head and hands
Very interesting information about the sign. Here we only have ravens, another bright and interesting bird to watch. I have seen a few of the programs about the crows on TV. How they recognize the individuals who documented them, for example. I really think the ravens here know who I am.
ReplyDeleteI think I saw that on PBS or the CBC here in Canada. I have always been fascinated by these creatures.....so very intelligent!
ReplyDeleteRaven are pretty special. The native peoples here consider Raven the creator figure. Other native groups in the south and east hold Coyote in that regard.
ReplyDeleteCrows gang up on Raven and it is not common to see them here in population areas. Likewise, in the more rural and remote areas, Raven are more abundant and sometimes can be found in very large family groups.
Nothing like the night roosts near the UW campus which can number 10000+ birds.