Communication Behavior Among Crows Essay

Introduction

Crows are part of the larger corvid family. Other members of this family include magpies and ravens. The corvid family is heavily studied both in mainstream animal biology and in the folklore of different communities across the world. In mainstream animal biology, several aspects of the corvid family are explored in order to gain insight into the behavior of the crow family. Some of the aspects that are heavily explored in relation to crow family behavior include cognitive abilities and social reasoning (Emery 1). Similarly, crows’ communication behavior is under increased scrutiny and also its relationship to human communication. Communication among crows is usually through cawing (Thompson 223). This communication technique has been studied heavily where researchers try to establish among other things patterns of cawing and the impact of such patterns on the behavior of crows (Thompson 224). A pattern of cawing indicates the communication, therefore, could be an indication of communication on a particular thing or aspect. The following paper is an analysis of the communication behavior among crows and similarities between this type of communication and human communication.

Communication Behavior among Crows

As pointed out above, crows are associated with cawing which is the bird’s main communication sound. A study by Thompson revealed that cawing among crows followed a number sequence pattern. Therefore, the main argument was that crows used coded language in form of sequential caws thus communicating amongst them. Cawing amongst crows can be divided into bursts.

Each burst contains a specific number of caws where the frequency or time interval between caws in specific bursts varies greatly. The number of caws per burst therefore increases and this is summarized into a number sequence which can be summarized into a number-based communication system (Thompson 224). Furthermore, Thompson claims that crows have a specific place such as trees from where the above communication system is established.

The caws from a specific burst are separated by a duration of a few seconds. However, the difference in duration between caws makes each burst unique and thus used to communicate specific messages. Different bursts can be used to transmit different messages between crows. The differences in pitch and frequency of caws in every burst can be used to communicate various things. These include communication due to imminent threats that either the crow or a group of crows face. Similarly, it can be used to communicate other emotions amongst crows.

The American crow, for example, varies the pitch and frequency of caws in every burst when faced with different situations. In cases of imminent danger, the caws are usually high pitched and occur frequently in every burst. However, when the bird is not under any threat, the caws are low pitched and there is an increased duration of time between caws in bursts.

Similarly, crows are often found in either a large group during the non-breeding season or smaller groups during the breeding season. Communication amongst crows in such groups often consists of various types of caws which are characterized by either high or low pitch. The male crow, for example, is associated with rattling caw which is used for communication especially during the mating season. Additionally, where communication involves good emotions, a melodious caw is often associated with such aspects amongst crows.

During the breeding season, crows often congregate in small family groups where a complex communication system between family members is established. Crows are highly territorial birds and thus have a complex anti-predatory communication system that includes alarm caws. Therefore, in cases where predators are within the territory, alarm caws which are characterized by high pitched caws at small intervals are heard and act as a warning sign to the rest of the family members. Therefore, crows are in a position to come together and attack such predators. Some of the crows’ predators include hawks, humans, and owls.

Familial groups also form the basis of conducting other activities amongst crows which include caring for offspring. Parent-offspring interactions are also influenced by the established communication system among crows. Therefore, there are distinctive caws that enable mothers to distinguish their offspring in the brood. This increases the survival rates of such offspring as they are well fed and guarded in the familial group setting. Parent-offspring communication among crows is characterized by an insistent nasal caw which acts as a cue for parents to feed their young ones.

As noted above, crows are highly territorial animals. Through vocalizations, crows are in a position to indicate their presence which also acts as a warning sign to potential invaders. Jansen, Larsen, and Attenborough indicate that crows live in the open field usually five hundred to seven hundred meters wide (507). Furthermore, they indicate that natural caws are transmitted over a distance of three hundred and twenty meters in such open fields. Therefore, in cases of intrusion, crows are in a position to communicate their presence through cawing. Potential intruders are, therefore, aware of their intrusion and possible confrontation with the occupying familial group on a particular territory.

During the mating season, crows often display varied behavior which is part of the courtship process. Male crows, for example, engage in mid-air diving exhibitions as they chase after females. Also, there are other behaviors attributed to the courtship process and are also part of the complex communication behavior amongst crows. These behaviors include bobbing heads, fluffed feathers, and also separating wings slightly (Rice para. 4). The above behavior is exhibited in front of other birds including males and is often used as a tool to ward off any other potential suitors in the process of courtship.

Similarities between Human and Crow’ Communication behavior

Human beings use language as the basic means of communication. This consists of letters, words, or numbers that as used to convey a particular message. As indicated above, crows have bursts of caws which can be associated with a specific number sequence. Therefore, such bursts form a unique basis of communication for crows. In human language, a combination of letters is used to form words with specific meanings which can be compared to the number sequence generated from different bursts from crows that have a distinct number of caws.

Another similarity between human and crow’s communication behavior is in the parent-offspring interaction. As indicated above, crows have a varied number of predators including owls and hawks that often laid their nests, killing young ones. Therefore, crows remain highly vigilant and thus guard nests containing young ones. Similarly, young ones usually have an insistent, nasal caw which is a primary indication of hunger. This relates closely to human mother and child interaction. Infants, for example, are not in a position to communicate in full language indicating some of their needs and wants. Therefore, the primary mode of communication among infants is crying and thus mothers are in a position to establish specific needs of the infant. Parent-offspring interaction and communication in humans and crows are thus closely related.

When faced with imminent danger, crows communicate using bursts of short, high-pitched caws. This is used as means of raising alarm thus alerting the rest of the group members of the imminent danger. Therefore, the crows are in a position to either flee or mob and attack the predator. Humans, on the other hand, when faced with eminent danger display varied behavior often as a result of the flight or fight response phenomena. Humans thus might resort in is such things as screaming which is an alarm call where other people are in a position to recognize imminent danger. Therefore, there is a close relationship between communication in life-threatening situations between crows and humans.

Humans exhibit non-verbal behavior in various situations including during courtship. Nonverbal behavior consists of such things as eye contact, posture, and gestures which are important forms of communication. During courtship, the use of non-verbal behavior is eminent where people use gestures as a means of communication. Other things such as eye contact act as cues towards interest in a person of the opposite sex. Similarly, crows exhibit various behaviors during courtship. Males often participate in flight displays and also other behaviors such as head bobbing. This forms part of the crows’ body language which is an indicator of preference in mating. Also, male crows are highly territorial where they ward off other males when interested in a female.

As indicated above, crows live in either large flocks during the nonbreeding season or small familial groups during the breeding season. Therefore, through such social groups, crows are in a position to protect ‘family members and also their territories. Crows’ caws are heard over a distance of three hundred meters and thus are used to ward off any potential intruders. Through securing territories, such familial groupings ensure the increased survival rate of their offspring. Humans are also highly territorial and usually secure their territory using various methods. This is primarily aimed at securing the future of their offspring.

Conclusion

Crows are highly intelligent birds and thus their behavior and adaptability have led to increased interest from biologists and other researchers. One aspect that generates increased interest is the relationship between communication amongst crows and human communication behavior. Human communication behavior is characterized by both verbal and nonverbal language. Crows, on the other hand, use cawing and other forms of body language. However, there are several similarities between the human and crows’ communication behavior. Some of the similarities between human and crows’ communication behavior relate to such aspects as parent-offspring interaction, territoriality, courtship, and familial relations. Similarities in parent-offspring interaction revolve around the ability to recognize and attend to agitation among young ones. Young ones amongst humans and crows might not have developed enhanced communication abilities thus parents are expected to address such agitation. Also, in courtship, there is the increased use of body language among humans and crows. Body language is an essential part of communication whereas in humans it consists of such things as eye contact. The use of body language amongst crows is mainly associated with mating mostly during the breeding season. Therefore, while most comparison between humans and crows has revolved around intelligence, there are striking comparisons in communication behavior too. However, the subject is relatively explored and thus more emphasis should be placed on the same.

References

Emery, Nathan 2003, Are Corvids ‘Feathered Apes’? Cognitive Evolution in Crows, Jays, Rooks and Jackdaws. Web.

Jensen, Kenneth, Larsen, Næsbye and Attenborough , Keith. “Measurements and predictions of hooded crow (Corvus corone cornix) call propagation over open field habitats.” Journal of Acoustical Society of America 123.1(2008): 507-518. Print.

Rice, Robert. “American Crow: Consummate opportunists” National Zoo, 2007. Web.