One Year Progress in Befriending Corvids: Rebuilding Trust After a Break

Summary:

After a seven-month break in his corvid befriending experiment, the presenter recounts the progress made over a year, focusing on his interactions with jackdaws, crows, and other birds.

Jackdaws, previously comfortable, became more skittish and no longer approached as readily.
Egyptian geese and ducks, accustomed to being fed, quickly resumed eating from his hand.
A specific carrion crow began to recognize him and follow him during walks, even without the immediate reward of food.
This particular crow demonstrated an unusual level of comfort and recognition, prompting the presenter to theorize it might be a chick he had previously encountered.
The crow's connection remained, though slightly diminished, after a two-week absence, indicating a genuine bond.

A carrion crow walks closely alongside the presenter, demonstrating a strong level of comfort and recognition during their interactions. [ 00:06:25 ]

Experiment Restart and Initial Observations [00:00:00]

The presenter reintroduces his ongoing experiment to befriend corvids (jackdaws, magpies, and crows) in his neighborhood, reflecting on the progress made over one year, particularly after a significant seven-month break in interactions.

The initial befriending strategy involved throwing food during walks and placing peanuts on his balcony.
- Crows were initially slow to approach.
- Jackdaws became comfortable quickly, reaching a point of being just centimeters from his hand.
A seven-month hiatus in the experiment occurred due to various undisclosed reasons, resuming in April of the current year.
- The video aims to assess the impact of this long break on the established relationships with the birds.
Other bird species, such as Egyptian geese and ducks, also gained attention during the feeding activities.

Re-engaging with Local Birds [00:01:23]

Upon resuming interactions, the presenter observes how different bird species react to his return after the extended break.

Jackdaws [00:01:44]
- Two jackdaws recognized the presenter after he threw them a peanut, but they didn't fly towards him immediately as they sometimes did before the break.
- They were somewhat closer but more skittish compared to their previous comfort level.
Egyptian Geese and Ducks [00:02:07]
- Egyptian geese recognized him instantly, eating from his hand without hesitation.
- Ducks were not overly skittish.
- The presenter humorously notes that Egyptian geese are "jerks" but enjoys their attention.
First Crow Encounters [00:02:45]
- A carrion crow noticed the increased bird activity around the presenter and approached.
- The crow politely waited for peanuts, indicating familiarity with humans providing food.
- The overall activity attracted numerous birds, making the presenter feel "welcomed."

Jackdaw Interaction at the Bench [00:03:19]

The presenter tests the jackdaws' comfort level at a specific bench where they had previously almost eaten from his hand.

Jackdaws were present but not immediately impressed or close to his outstretched hand.
One jackdaw eventually approached the peanut on the table and even slipped while getting it, then walked away proudly.
Despite efforts, they did not approach his hand.

A jackdaw approaches a peanut on a wooden bench, demonstrating some renewed trust after the long break, though still hesitant to eat directly from hand. [ 00:03:40 ]

Developing a Connection with a Specific Crow [00:04:33]

A new, deeper connection begins to form with a particular carrion crow.

Unrewarded Following [00:04:33]
- One crow followed the presenter during an afternoon walk even though he had no peanuts.
- The crow sat near him on a bench for several minutes.
- It made calls and seemed to respond to his calls, though it stopped when he started recording.
- Later, a different crow (or perhaps the same one at a new location) followed him for a significant distance without any food reward.
  - This crow seemed to recognize him and feel comfortable, walking alongside him.
Crow's Growing Comfort and Recognition [00:06:34]
- Two days later, the same crow quickly spotted him and descended from trees to greet him.
- It walked along with him without receiving peanuts, indicating recognition and enjoyment of his company beyond food.
- The presenter found this interaction "really special," noting the intelligence of the bird flying towards him knowing he knows it.
- The crow came quite close, with only minor hesitation, reinforcing that building trust is a slow process.
  
  A carrion crow walks very closely to the presenter, showcasing its comfort and recognition even without the immediate presence of food. [ 00:06:25 ]

The Heron's Influence [00:08:49]

During one interaction, the crow's attention is diverted by another bird.

The crow seemed distracted or not in the mood for peanuts.
It was observing a heron fishing in the water.
The presenter hypothesizes that the crow was hoping the heron would be a "sloppy feeder," as crows enjoy crayfish which herons hunt.

A carrion crow observes a grey heron hunting crayfish in a shallow body of water, suggesting an opportunistic foraging behavior. [ 00:09:30 ]

Sustaining the Crow Friendship [00:09:34]

The bond with the crow is tested by a two-week absence.

After a two-week period of no interaction, the same crow still greeted the presenter and accepted peanuts.
However, it appeared slightly more skittish than before the absence.

Reflections on the Year's Progress [00:10:01]

The presenter summarizes the overall outcome of the year-long experiment, particularly highlighting the contrasting progress with jackdaws and crows.

Impact on Jackdaws [00:10:08]
- The seven-month break led to a loss of trust with the jackdaws, who were previously very close.
Surprising Crow Connection [00:10:13]
- Crows, initially more distant, showed remarkable progress, with one individual becoming very comfortable and recognizing him quickly after the break.
- The presenter theorizes that this specific crow might be a chick he had encountered the previous spring, which had observed his feeding activities with its parent.
  - He believes this early exposure, even without direct interaction, might have contributed to its rapid trust.
- The presenter expresses the unique feeling of having such an intelligent bird recognize and seek his company.
Future Plans [00:11:38]
- He confirms that he will continue the experiment and looks forward to sharing more videos.