A British Columbia woman goes to add food to the bird feeder to discover she’s been left her first crow’s gift.
On July 13, a woman (@backyard_shenanagens) posted a viral video of what she found in her bird feeder. It has since amassed over 5.7 million views as of Thursday.
What Did The Woman Find In Her Bird Feeder?
“And when I went to go see the dish, my first gift is right here,” she said. She showed viewers what seemed like a chunk of plastic or glass that had been left in the bird feeder. “My very first gift.”
The creator gave additional context in the video’s caption: “I’ve been feeding Russel and Cheryl and Cameron for three years now,” she added. “Today I received my first gift … beyond excited!!!! I think I screamed loud enough for three blocks.”
The camera then pans to her house, showing two crows perching on the roof.
What Is A ‘Crow Gift?’
Scientists and bird behavior experts say that what many people call a “crow gift” is a real phenomenon. However, researchers caution that it is relatively uncommon. Purportedly, it is not something crows do for every person who feeds them.
Crows are among the most intelligent birds in the world and are capable of recognizing individual human faces, remembering people who have treated them well or poorly for years, and forming long-term relationships with humans.
When a crow leaves behind a small object such as a bead, button, bottle cap, pebble, shell, or other shiny trinket where a trusted human regularly leaves food, some researchers believe it may be a form of reciprocal behavior. Still, it is difficult to determine the birds’ exact motivations.
What Is The Significance of A ‘Crow Gift?’
Studies from the University of Washington have shown that crows can recognize specific human faces. They can even pass that knowledge to other crows. This shows sophisticated memory and social learning. Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Exeter have found evidence that crows can engage in behaviors resembling planning and problem-solving. This demonstrates just how cognitively advanced the birds are.
Scientists cannot say the birds are consciously giving “thank-you presents” in the human sense. However, they have noted that crows frequently collect and investigate interesting items. They leave them near a reliable food source may reflect the strong social bonds they are capable of forming with trusted humans.
Because crows are naturally curious and highly observant, they often associate people with predictable routines. Someone who provides food at the same place every day can become part of a crow family’s territory. This leads the birds to grow increasingly comfortable around that person over time. Even so, receiving an object from a crow remains relatively rare. This is especially true compared to the far more common behavior of crows simply returning daily for food.
@backyard_shenanagens … my very first crow gift!!!!! 🐦⬛ I’ve been feeding Russel and Cheryl and Cameron for three years now. Today I received my first gift … beyond excited!!!! I think I screamed loud enough for three blocks … #crow #crows #blackbird #gift #wildlife
People Share Their Own Crow Gifts
In the comments section, several viewers expressed their amazement at the TikToker’s experience, while others shared their own “crow gifts” they had received.
“My first gift was a McDonalds BBQ sauce packet unopened,” one user wrote.
Another shared, “Mine was a sour gumball!!”
One user had other ideas on how to make the most of this new development: “Now teach them to gift you money.”
BroBible reached out to @backyard_shenanagens for comment via Instagram Direct Message and the Instagram comment section.