Crows belong to the corvid family, a group of birds known for their extraordinary intelligence. Research has shown that these birds can recognize human faces, remember people they perceive as a threat and transmit this information to other individuals.
In a study by researchers from the University of Washington, American crows learned to recognize the face of a “dangerous person” and responded to it years after the first encounter. In addition, crows use tools, solve complex problems and adapt extremely quickly to life in urban environments.
These birds also act as natural scavengers as they eat insects, small animals, seeds, fruit, waste and carrion, thus helping to remove organic waste from the environment and contributing to pest control. Although they often eat leftovers in cities, this does not mean that they should be fed, it just confirms that they are an important part of the wider natural system.
Crows are generally not dangerous to humans, and attacks are very rare and occur almost exclusively during the nesting season when adult birds protect their young. In such situations, birds may croak loudly or fly over passers-by to drive them away from the nest.
The best course of action is simple: do not touch the chicks, do not approach the nest and walk away calmly if the birds become agitated. Crows are not the ominous birds of myth, but smart, sociable and useful animals that understand humans far better than most humans do.
