Crows are highly intelligent and social birds that use a variety of vocalizations to communicate with each other. While crows may not have an extensive vocabulary like parrots, their calls convey a range of meaning and context. Learning to distinguish crow calls takes time, but can reveal insights into crow behavior and ecology.
Caw
The most familiar crow call is their loud, harsh “caw.” Crows make this familiar sound for several reasons:
- Territorial warnings – Crows are highly territorial, and caws are used to warn intruders away from nests or claimed food sources.
- Alarm calls – Caws alert other crows to potential threats like predators or disturbances.
- Location calls – Caws help crows keep track of each other’s whereabouts.
The caw is one of the most versatile crow vocalizations. By changing pitch, tempo, and inflection, caws can communicate different meanings. Slight variations help distinguish individual crows. Crows may also alter cawing patterns to denote threats versus regular contact calls.
Song
Crows sometimes warble a melodic song, like the cooing of doves. Crow song sounds more musical than their typical harsh caws. These vocalizations are used:
- As mating calls – Crows sings to attract partners and strengthen pair bonds.
- Territorial displays – Solo songs assert claim over nesting or feeding areas.
- Group bonding – Paired crows may duet to cement social ties.
Crow song reaches its peak during breeding season as birds try to attract mates. After pairing up, mated crows sing duets to solidify their bond. The notes, tempo, and coordination of duetting crows are distinctive to each pair.
Rattle
Crows make a rattling or gurgling sound from deep in their throats. It signals:
- Aggression – Rattles are made when threatening or attacking.
- Territorial warnings – Rattling helps scare away trespassers.
- Alarm – Rattles call attention to predators or environmental disturbances.
Rattles are lower-pitched than caws and have a harsh, rasping texture. The rattling tends to come in bursts but varies based on context. Crows may rattle repeatedly when mobbing a predator but give just a brief rattle to deter another crow from approaching too closely.
Roar
Crows can produce an unnerving, low-pitched roar. These roars communicate:
- Aggressive warnings – Roars are made when defending territories or food.
- Distress – Injured crows may roar in pain or alarm.
- Mobbing – Whole crow flocks roar together to drive predators away.
The deep, hoarse roar serves as an intense threat display. It is used to intimidate other creatures that get too close to a crow’s domain. Roars are rare coming from a single crow but can arise from whole mobs during predator harassment.
Rattle-Roar
When extremely aggravated, crows produce a combined rattling-roaring sound. This intense call signals:
- Extreme aggression – It is a last resort threat during fights.
- Predator mobbing – Whole flocks make the rattling-roar to scare predators.
The rattling-roar combines the harshness of the rattle with the ominous tone of roaring. It is an awe-inspiring display of crow intimidation techniques. Few predators or intruders persist when confronted with this unified shows of force.
Kowlp
Crows make a distinct kowlp or owl-like hooting sound. Kowlps are often given in a series and communicate:
- Food begging – Juvenile crows kowlp to request food from parents.
- Status – Dominant crows kowlp to assert their status over subordinates.
- Contact – Pairs or family groups kowlp back and forth to keep in touch.
The kowlp is thought to mimic the call of the Northern hawk owl. Since owls prey on crows, kowlps may be used by crows to deceive each other into thinking an owl is near.
Rattle-Kowlp
A mix of rattling and kowlping produces the rattle-kowlp call. It signals:
- Submission – Subordinate crows make the rattle-kowlp to appease aggressive, dominant crows.
- Appeasement – Crows may rattle-kowlp to divert aggression between battling crows.
The kowlp suggests subordinate status while the rattle conveys active appeasement. Together they function as a peace offering to deescalate crow conflicts.
Whine
Young crows still dependent on parental care produce plaintive whines or squeaks. These indicate:
- Hunger – Nestlings whine to solicit food from the adults.
- Distress – Lost fledglings whine when anxious or afraid.
Whining sounds forlorn and pitiful compared to adult crow vocalizations. Parent crows recognize the whine as a plea for sustenance or comfort and respond accordingly.
Clicking
Crows sometimes make a rapid clicking or clucking sound with their beaks. Clicks communicate:
- Aggression – Dominant crows click to threaten subordinates.
- Triumph – Clicks also signify victorious or defiant crows.
Clicks are often made during conflicts and have an assertive, arrogant tone. The sharpness contrasts with submissive sounds like whines.
Conclusion
Crow vocalizations are more intricate than their familiar cawing lets on. Discernible variations in pitch, rhythm, and tone help crows convey a wide range of meanings. From territorial warnings to mating duets, their calls reveal the depth of crow social relationships and intelligence. Careful listening and observation allows us to appreciate the sophistication behind their noisy conversations.
