A murder of crows (photo credit: Rick Davis)
MONTGOMERY-Although murder, conspiracy, and unkindness all seem like words to a plot line from a mystery novel, these words are also used to reference groups of crows or ravens.
Murder is a term that refers to a group of crows, while a group of ravens is known as a conspiracy or unkindness. These names come from folklore or superstitions that related these birds with death or fear. Since, crows and ravens are scavengers in nature and often seen eating carrion or dead animal flesh, they were often associated them with the macabre. However, in more recent times, these birds have come to be better known for their intelligence and highly adaptive abilities, rather than their grim and gruesome dining haunts.
In Alabama, we have two species of crows, the American crow and fish crow. The American crow can be found anywhere throughout the state and is the larger of the two species whereas fish Crows are only found in the southern half of the state and are most often found near water. Crows will eat almost anything and have adapted to live in natural and human created habitats, where they are often observed in large social family groups or murder. A good way to tell a fish crow from an American crow is through its call. A fish crow’s call has an inflection that sounds like someone saying “uh-uh.” So, if you ask a crow if it is an American crow and it answers uh-uh, then you know it is a fish crow.
Is it a conspiracy? Yes, it is common ravens! Common Ravens are not typically found in Alabama, but one may stray into the state on occasion. Ravens can be found in the northern and western United States and Canada. Ravens are larger than crows and are often seen as a single bird or in pairs rather than in large groups.
If you are lucky enough to see a large group of crows or ravens birds, you can tell your friends or family that you witnessed a murder, conspiracy or unkindness.
To learn more about Alabama’s crow species, visit the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Watchable Wildlife Website.
Media Release/Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
