Why You Should Never Make an Enemy of a Crow
word gets around: news or gossip spreads from person to person until many people know it
Leah Wilson was walking near her home in British Columbia when she saw something strange. A group of crows was circling a house and crying out. One young crow was stuck in a rain gutter. Leah could not reach it, so she waved down a passing fire truck. “Hey, you look like you wanna save a crow today!” she called. The firefighters brought a ladder and set the bird free.
Leah drove the crow to an animal rescue center. On the way, the little bird grabbed onto her finger. She called the moment life-changing. Soon the crow was healthy again, and it was released with a small band on its leg.
Then the gifts began. One day a crow flew down and dropped a tiny feathered bundle at her feet. More followed. The crows brought her small sticks and bits of moss. They circle her on her walks now. Among the local birds, word got around that Leah was a friend.
Crows are known for never forgetting a face, and that memory has a darker side. Scientists at the University of Washington showed just how far it goes. Researchers put on a rubber mask. They caught a few wild crows, placed bands on their legs, and let them go. The crows never forgot that face. They screamed and dove at anyone who wore the mask. When the team wore a different mask as a test, the crows stayed calm.
The grudge spread fast. At first, only one in five crows attacked the mask. Five years later, more than half did. Many of these birds were never caught. Angry parents had taught their children to fear that face. Word got around again, but this time as a warning.
Crows remember a friend, and they remember an enemy. Leah helped one bird, and a whole flock chose to love her. Show them the wrong face, and they will never forget.
Sample sentences
Word got around the office that the company was hiring, and suddenly everyone had a friend who wanted to apply.
I only told two people about the party, but somehow word got around and forty people showed up.
After she opened the little bakery, word got around the neighborhood, and now there is a line every morning.
Read More
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UW Professor Learns Crows Don’t Forget a Face
