I've listened to those slanging matches between parrots and crows in South Pasadena, and am glad I don't understand what they're saying. But now I know that crows are faithful spouses and loving parents, I'm going to stop using the expression "Stone the crows!"

There's an interesting video currently making the rounds on the internet. Somewhere in Europe...A crow repeatedly takes the top of a can, pulls it to the ridge line of a steep roof, then mounts it and uses it to sled down the roof line. Not a one time deal. He/she does it repeatedly. True crow play.

btw: I side on the team that views crows as beautiful. I have a crow cut from metal I keep as a lawn ornament

I like 'em, too, but they drive out the other birds; there are far fewer mockingbirds, scrub jays, goldfinches, etc. in my neighborhood since they moved in and I consider that to be a huge loss.

Perhaps not so, Diana. According to research, although an increase in crows and an apparent decrease in other bird populations might seem a logical link, it might well be a false conclusion.

They tease my dog. I watch them do it. They're toying with her. LOL The blue jays do it too. Everybody is having fun, but boy, is it loud!

There was an amazing show a year or so ago on PBS about ravens and crows - I was astonished to see how intelligent they are.

I have also read that they have excellent memories and it is best not to get on their bad side! And what every you do -- don't antagonize them as they apparently carry grudges against those who try to harm them. (http://squatlo-rant.blogspot.com/2011/07/crows-carry-grudge-pass-it-along-to.html). Here is another listing --http://www.newsy.com/videos/crows-pass-on-their-grudges/
Both are very interesting!

They seem to remember faces for their entire lifespan -- 15 to 40 years!!

Leslie, I wish I could learn how they do that. I forget right after I'm introduced!

A noisy mob of crows led me to a bobcat in our yard a few weeks ago. I heard the hollering, knew something was up, grabbed camera and binoculars and popped out the door. Cat, very handsome, was too fast for me, I only got one shot of his backside through the gate, but I stay alert to the corws who have many things to tell us.

I'm with Diana B. The crows invaded the nests of my Mockingbirds, and tore up their offspring. I've also witnessed crows chase the hawks out of our mountains when the sun starts to go down. I think that's their very favorite time to gather. I also noticed when I'd work late on construction sites, they would would completely invade the site after everyone else had left. Eery stuff - straight out of Hitchcock's "The Birds"

All birds roost around sundown (except owls -- the only ones that fly at night). That is why the sudden flurry of fracas and flying in the 30 minutes before sundown. Ever been in So Pas at that time -- the parrots are so noisy -- looking for a nightly roosting sight. After they roost, their metabolisms slow down until sunrise. That is why chickens are so vulnerable at night, if you bump into one roosting they pretty much fall off their roost -- kinda like cow tipping. But don't try crow tipping as they will probably remember your face and get you back!! : )

That's right, crows never forget a face. And they won't just hold a grudge, they'll pass the particulars on to the next generation. Moral of the story, next time you see a crow, smile. Google "PBS Crows" for a video.

You all have very good crow stories! I'm not sure I see them around that much.... my trees and wires are full of pigeons and squirrels. Plus the occasional squad of parrots.

I've wondered about the great numbers of crows in the last few years. Not sure of the cause. There used to be a blue jay that I donated parts of my doormat to for a nest, but I haven't seen a jay here in years. For some reason, however, there are fewer crows in the last year.

I'm a fan of the jays, too. Both birds died out at alarming rates during the worst of the West Nile Virus. I read So Cal lost 40% of the crow population at the time, but they've come back strong (obviously).

Revvell, funny you mention peanuts. My neighbor at my last home constantly gave out peanuts to the squirrels. Then they would bury them in our potted plants to store them up. We still find peanuts all the time at our new place when we are repotting. At that old place too we had a ton of jays, which would squak at and divebomb my cat relentlessly for several weeks in the spring (presumably when there were newborn jays nearby).

For the price of the occasional unsalted bag of unshelled peanuts, I'm entertained all day. I've acquired a tame squirrel and three jays that are waiting for me when I get up in the morning.. When I give the squirrel a peanut, he takes it out my hand very gently. But the jays are watching, and squawk at me from the backs of the chairs on the deck until I give them something as well. If I put a handful of peanuts on the table, the jays get there before the squirrel - they have the advantage of flight, which is faster than running. They don't eat the peanuts immediately, they hide them somewhere and come back as soon as they can for more. They also weigh each shell in their beak to make sure they pick up the heaviest first.

I'm trying to devise some puzzles for them to solve before they get the nuts - any ideas?

We could Wiki that, Barbara. Oh wait, no we can't.

I could swear a crow read my mind once. I was riding my bike in Seattle. There were lots of crows around, and I had this sudden fear this one crow was going to swoop down at me. Seconds later he did, grazing the top of my bike helmet.... Maybe I read his mind?

I have the utmost respect for their intelligence. I won't look at them directly; I get the sense they take it as a challenge. Am I being paranoid? Has anyone ever heard that?

This is a fun and fascinating article, Karin.