Crows Are Able To Hold Grudges And Remember Faces If Humans Treat Them Badly

Aug 22, 2020 by apost team

Many things can be said about birds. They are pretty, scary-looking, colorful, intelligent, master bird-nest engineers, and so much more, but grudge holders? Well, ornithologists – those who study birds – have discovered that there is one species that you may not want to offend: crows. If you do, you may forever be subject to their wrath whenever they see you.

Crows are complex, highly intelligent creatures and have an extraordinary cognitive ability to think logically and remember. In addition, researchers discovered that they are capable of holding a long-term grudge, and can remember those who mistreat them. And these are not your average, friendly-looking birds as they are born with a frown.

The reputation of crows was sealed early on in the classic movie, "The Birds." In one scene, a sky full of birds descended on young students as they ran from the school, yelling and screaming, trying to get away from them. That terrorizing scene left an indelible impression upon peoples' minds as to just how evil crows can be, even to innocent children.

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While that was a made-for-Hollywood version of events, that image does not accurately reflect the complex personality of the crow. On the contrary, there are times when crows can be friendly. Researchers also conducted studies of crow behavior to see if they could remember people by using different facial masks, and associate behavior with the face. Indeed, they remembered faces, behaviors, and responded accordingly.

They recognized friendly behavior and the person associated with it, as well as the negative treatment. And the findings were consistent. The crows' behavior towards those who treated them negatively was loud and aggressively threatening.

They were also sedated so that their brain activity could examine their emotional behavior. The results were consistent with the various tests. The studies also recorded changes in the brain according to the crows' responses towards the test subject.

In the end, crows are fascinating. They are very social birds and share information with each other. Therefore, if one of them recognizes someone who provides food, for example, he will communicate with the flock to give them that information. If, on the other hand, the experience with the crow is negative, he will also communicate that to the others, and the response will be communal, reports Discover Magazine.

What do you think about grudge-holding crows? Have you or your friends ever had an experience, positive or negative, with one? Do tell!