Crows: Encounters with the Wise Guys of the Avian World (Greystone Nature)

Who knew that crows are second only to humans as toolmakers and tool users, that they have complex family lives not unlike our own, and that their vocalizations resemble human languages? This witty, charming book introduces readers to these endlessly fascinating creatures. Author Candace Savage explores their evolution and basic biology, diet and food-gathering practices, incredible tool-using capabilities, crow “languages,” tricky social interactions, and their impact on the human imagination as reflected in mythology, literature, and popular aphorisms. Based on extensive research, the book is a lively, loving tribute to these special feathered friends. Based on more than a decade of research, "Crows" offers an accurate, humorous, and wide-ranging introduction to these fascinating birds. Who would have guessed that there are more than 40 species of ravens and crows, all variations on a theme, cawing and croaking their way through the woodlands of North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and various South Sea islands? (Of the temperate continents, only South America doesn't know the charms of these amusing, intelligent birds.) Topics explored include evolution, distribution, diet and food-getting practices (including their ingenious use of tools), social behavior (including the many crow "languages"), and impact on the human imagination, as reflected in mythology, literature, and popular aphorisms. Appealing to both the avid birder or the more casual nature lover, "Crows" is rich in insight, humor, and stories Discusses family structure, communication skills, social interactions, and tool-using capabilities of the crow, showing that they are second only to humans as tool makers and users. Sparky and fun loving in tone, this celebration of crow consciousness discusses the basic biology of crows, as well as their family structure, tricky social interactions, communication skills, incredible tool-using capabilities, and impact on the human imagination. Based on more than a decade of audacious research by scientists around the world, Crows is rich in insight, humor, and stories. It is also richly illustrated with photographs, drawings, and paintings of these fascinating birds