Stop complaining!

Every year it’s the same story: get rid of the crows! Students gripe about these noisy animals that paint the sidewalks white every year.

Letters to the Daily have called crows “the ugliest creatures on earth,” “hideous creatures,” “evil” and more.

But I happen to be a big fans of crows. Crows are one of the few species on this planet that have the adaptive ability to coexist with the growing human population. They have taken advantage of the urban and suburban habitats that we have created. Hurray for the champions of evolution.

Still not convinced that crows are cool?

Well, did you know crows, of the family Corvidae, are believed to be the most intelligent of all birds? They are known to use tools in their daily life.

Some people claim they can even count. Their behavior is often so clever, cunning, fun-loving, smart, and witty scientists are baffled.

Their disgusting eating habits keep the highways free of roadkill and reduce harmful insect populations. Crows are also very family oriented. The parents’ cooperative relationship usually last a lifetime (which is usually 10 years, but the oldest lived to 29).

It seems that other cultures, besides American, are able to appreciate the crow.

Phoibos Apollo, from Greek mythology, is sometimes associated with the crow.

Native Americans of the Northwest revered the crow as the keeper of the law.

So next time you hear that familiar “caw, caw” and the sky goes dark, don’t be so quick to pass judgement on these marvelous creatures simply because you don’t want poop on your Gap sweater.

Tamara Barton

Senior

Animal Ecology