The American Crow, found throughout North America frequents most of Canada in the summer, also caw their hearts out from California to the Carolinas and Maine to Florida year round. These brilliant birds are commonly perched in both bare and foliage-filled treetops, gathered in fields, and wandering America’s roadsides. They can outwit most birds, animals, and even many of us humans. It adapts to its environment. They aren’t particular at all about their habitats ranging from empty beach-sides and open woods to the center of towns and local neighborhoods. They’ll consume most anything as ground feeders especially earthworms, small animals, insects, seeds, fruit, plus garbage, carrion, and even some chicks of nesting birds.

In the winter months of Maine, there aren’t many species of birds that tough out the winters, but crows do. Walking nature trails along the east coast, crows I’ve seen and heard them making their daily rounds whether perched, wandering, or on the wing in their methodical flapping with very little gliding. The precocious crows always seem to be up to something. Their activities don’t appear haphazard, but rather meticulous and even creative.

Though the typical “caw” identifies that bird like a crow, I’ve noticed slight differences between the cawing voices of northern versus southern crows.  One seems quite magical, while the other seems static.  One is multidimensional… the other myopic, but it’s still the familiar “caw” that catches your ear. They actually do have a language that sounds… enchanting.

It’s a privilege to hear all our winged friends talking to each other as the day begins. The deep blackness of the crow ushers in the brightness of the new day its caws declare the dawn. Native American elders have shared that the conversations of birds are very complex. Crows (along with many other birds) greet the new day and tell the other “winged ones” and forest inhabitants the news throughout the day. To the animal kingdom, they’re the original morning news team without the necessity of television, radio, or print.  Their watchfulness tells every creature about their discoveries, current events, their territorial boundaries, where some of the other inhabitants, including predators. Birds, in general, announce locations for the best food for the day, or simply to declare to everyone, “Wake up. Wake up, it’s time to greet the beauty of the new day”.

Watching crows reveals their organizational skills. They post sentinels to keeping a watchful eye over the area. They nest high in the treetops to keep a watchful eye over the terrain where they feed and live. They communicate as they work together. Like many animals, crows have been known to predict tornadoes, rain, and other weather patterns by the way they fly.

Cultures throughout the world teach that we should look at living things around us because they can help guide us along our individual paths. The longer we listen and the more time we devote to them, the more often truths are recognized, and their language can be understood by us, who are also part of that same creation.

What can be learned about the spiritual medicine of crow? Crows have been associated with creation and solitude in various cultures of the world. Typically they not only symbolize nature but spiritual strength as well. Illustrating these numerous qualities, they encourage us, “caw” to us to maintain that same creative awareness and spirit that embraces our being, never losing sight of the magic that surrounds our life while maintaining our spiritual strength gained through our solitude. Though a great deal more may be learned from the stories and legends of crow’s wonder, uniqueness, and even magic, a primary lesson says that crow teaches us to speak our truth, be true to ourselves, and honor our own unique qualities. Think about these qualities the next time you see or hear a crow cawing to you.