# New Friend? Or Murder? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 11, 2023, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411 "2023-10-11T18:22:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/1 "2023-10-11T18:22:17Z")
I’m not sure this is possible. But here it is, When I get up early (happens frequently these days) I look out and see the birds at the bird feeders. Crows are always underneath stealing songbird seed. I’ve told before, the crows around here are notably marked. They have a red feather or two on a wing. I believe they are from the same clan, species, or _murder_ at least. Lately there’s a new guy in the group. He’s some bigger than the others. Stands taller. And his beak points upward more. No red feather. He’s accepted into the murder. These birds are a dysfunctional family. They bicker and peck each other too much. This new guy stays above the fray. He moves over when fights break out. I’ve started throwing Cheerios out for him when he’s apart (I know, I know not good food for birds. But heck they eat garbage and dog food all the time) We always have lots of Cheerios around, so they’re handy. And I take advantage. He’s getting closer and closer. I’m gonna hug him and love him forever and give him a cute name. I’ll have a new friend. Or this portends doom. Eeek! ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/2 "2023-10-11T19:00:29Z")
Could this new guy be a raven rather than a crow??? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/3 "2023-10-11T19:00:57Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’ll have a new friend. > > Or this portends doom. Two things can be true. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/4 "2023-10-11T19:02:57Z")
I’m researching. I kinda wanna know this. I’m trying to get pic. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/5 "2023-10-11T19:09:41Z")
I have just named my new friend “Poe” ---
**Author:** ![Slight\_Off\_Hand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@Slight\_Off\_Hand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slight_Off_Hand)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/6 "2023-10-11T19:14:58Z")
Raven? Nevermore! ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/7 "2023-10-11T19:27:06Z")
I will name him George And stroke his bill And rub his pretty feathers ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/8 "2023-10-11T21:18:21Z")
If I had a raven I would name it That’s So. Love the “swooshing” sound of ravens’ wings when they fly overhead in narrow desert canyons. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/9 "2023-10-11T21:27:36Z")
So I researched. Oh, for about 3 minutes 🤨 Seems my crows with red on their wing are actually Redwinged Starlings. And my new friend may be an actual Common crow. I’m cor-fused. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/10 "2023-10-11T21:36:07Z")
Crows are widely disliked (by which, of course, I mean that I don’t like them). Their ominous caw-caw sounds and their coal-black shiny feathers seem to bespeak evil. But if you become close friends with Poe, who knows – he may introduce you to the Other Side and possibly empower you to become a cackling witch able to cast spells! And just in time for Halloween! 🧹 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/11 "2023-10-11T21:54:09Z")
Lordy, I need some magic.☺ ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2023, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/12 "2023-10-11T21:59:59Z")
I recomend reading the Sandman comics by Neil Gaiman. Dream always has a Raven. They speak and are cool as hell. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2023, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/13 "2023-10-12T02:02:34Z")
It was probably Huginn or Munnin. They’re always poking around getting into everyone else’s business. Or maybe Carc or Roac. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2023, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/14 "2023-10-12T02:09:38Z")
I’m the watcher. So you could say I’m in their business. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2023, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/15 "2023-10-12T03:12:56Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > It was probably Huginn or Munnin…Or maybe Carc or Roac. Or Heckle and Jeckle. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2023, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/16 "2023-10-12T03:25:21Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > I will name him George > And stroke his bill > And rub his pretty feathers Hey, wait a minute; bunny rabbits don’t have feathers and bills. > [@blondebear](#): > > If I had a raven… I’d rave in the morning, I’d rave in the evening, All over this la-and. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2023, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/17 "2023-10-12T03:36:17Z")
Beck, you go girl. A crow would be a good friend to have. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2023, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/18 "2023-10-12T03:39:04Z")
I put a pile of Cheerios by the deck this evening. Unless I attract other critters, (please don’t be a skunk) I may get a closer look in the morning. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2023, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/19 "2023-10-12T14:23:20Z")
Crows are cool! And very smart. I’ve seen many videos of people that have befriended crows by feeding them regularly. The crows bring them gifts like coins, bottlecaps, keys, etc. Who knows what you will get in exchange for some Cheerios! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2023, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411/20 "2023-10-12T15:02:55Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Redwinged Starlings. This time of year we often see murmurations of starlings. What a cool sight! Thousands of birds all in formation flight. [![](https://www.lancswt.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/scaled_12_col_desk/public/2018-11/wildlife-trusts-starling-murmuration-winter-david-tipling-2020vision.jpg?itok=lOdiQDWz) ](https://www.lancswt.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/scaled_12_col_desk/public/2018-11/wildlife-trusts-starling-murmuration-winter-david-tipling-2020vision.jpg?itok=lOdiQDWz) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-friend-or-murder/991411.md?page=2)