Candace Savage 
Crows 
Encounters with the Wise Guys of the Avian World

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.

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1. The Birds in Black

This chapter introduces the far-flung members of the genus Corvus—ravens, crows, jackdaws, and rooks. The chapter takes delight in the legends that posit Crow itself as the creative energy in the universe while focusing attention on the evolutionary forces that have created the birds themselves.


2. Family Dramas

The most important reality in the life of a corvine is the corvine on the next branch. This chapter focuses on the birds’ complex family structure and social life.


3. The Trickster Revisited

People say that crows and ravens are the smartest birds in the world, able to count, recognize friends and enemies, and invent and use tools. Just how wise are these wise guys, anyway?


4. Fellow Feeling

The basis of social interaction is the ability to tell your fellows what you feel and think. This chapter discusses vocal and nonvocal communication among corvines.

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Candace Savage is the author of numerous internationally acclaimed books on subjects ranging from natural history and science to popular culture. She is the author of the bestselling natural history titles
Bird Brains: The Intelligence of Crows, Ravens, Magpies and Jays,
Prairie: A Natural History (for which she won two Saskatchewan Book Awards in 2004), and
Mother Nature: Animal Parents and Their Young. She lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.