Are Crows really Our Friends?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Are Crows really Our Friends?
Authors: PRESTON, ELIZABETH (AUTHOR)
Source: Audubon. Summer2026, Vol. 128 Issue 2, p40-45. 6p. 12 Cartoon or Caricatures.
Subject Terms: *Human-animal relationships, *Animal behavior, Crows, Prosocial behavior, Emotions in animals, Animal intelligence, Social evolution, Bird behavior
Abstract: The article examines the complex relationships between humans and corvids, particularly American Crows, exploring whether these interactions can be considered friendships. It highlights how crows recognize individual humans, respond to consistent feeding, and exhibit behaviors suggesting social awareness and curiosity beyond mere survival. Researchers and enthusiasts note that while crows may use humans as a food source and safe habitat, their intelligence and long-term social bonds with humans indicate a nuanced connection shaped by cultural coevolution over millennia. The article also discusses the challenges of interpreting crow behavior without anthropomorphizing and offers practical advice for those interested in fostering mindful interactions with local crows. [Extracted from the article]
Copyright of Audubon is the property of National Audubon Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: GreenFILE
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Header DbId: 8gh
DbLabel: GreenFILE
An: 194437182
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Periodical
PubTypeId: serialPeriodical
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
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  Data: Are Crows really Our Friends?
– Name: Author
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22PRESTON%2C+ELIZABETH%22">PRESTON, ELIZABETH</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Audubon%22">Audubon</searchLink>. Summer2026, Vol. 128 Issue 2, p40-45. 6p. 12 Cartoon or Caricatures.
– Name: Subject
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Human-animal+relationships%22">Human-animal relationships</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Animal+behavior%22">Animal behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Crows%22">Crows</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Prosocial+behavior%22">Prosocial behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Emotions+in+animals%22">Emotions in animals</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Animal+intelligence%22">Animal intelligence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+evolution%22">Social evolution</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Bird+behavior%22">Bird behavior</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The article examines the complex relationships between humans and corvids, particularly American Crows, exploring whether these interactions can be considered friendships. It highlights how crows recognize individual humans, respond to consistent feeding, and exhibit behaviors suggesting social awareness and curiosity beyond mere survival. Researchers and enthusiasts note that while crows may use humans as a food source and safe habitat, their intelligence and long-term social bonds with humans indicate a nuanced connection shaped by cultural coevolution over millennia. The article also discusses the challenges of interpreting crow behavior without anthropomorphizing and offers practical advice for those interested in fostering mindful interactions with local crows. [Extracted from the article]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Audubon is the property of National Audubon Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 6
        StartPage: 40
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Human-animal relationships
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Animal behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Crows
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Prosocial behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Emotions in animals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Animal intelligence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social evolution
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Bird behavior
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Are Crows really Our Friends?
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            NameFull: PRESTON, ELIZABETH
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          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 06
              Text: Summer2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 128
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              Value: 2
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            – TitleFull: Audubon
              Type: main
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