by Lisa Santonato | Apr 28, 2016 | Scholarly Discussion
As we have come to learn, with a high brain-to-body ratio, crows possess an impressively high level of intelligence. They are not only able to complete complex tasks at the level of a seven-year-old child (Taylor 2014:366), they also take pleasure in both clever and...
by Lisa Santonato | Apr 28, 2016 | Scholarly Discussion
How has the crow sustained such a long-standing symbolic association to the otherworld, the unknown, and death? Writing in Society & Animals, Moreman (2014) argues that the bird:death connection is manifested in four particular ways: (1) through birds’ capacity...
by Lisa Santonato | Apr 28, 2016 | Scholarly Discussion
Boria Sax describes the various cultural representations of crow throughout historical times. From ancient Greek times, the crow has been perceived as an intelligent creature, capable of solving complex physical problems, as depicted in Aesop’s fable, “The Crow and...
by Lisa Santonato | Apr 28, 2016 | Scholarly Discussion
Corvid intelligence is well-documented. Indeed, as recent studies have shown, crow intelligence is high, rivalling that of primates (Taylor 2014). From scientific journals, to legends, literature and mythology, it is near-impossible to deny that these large, black...
by Lisa Santonato | Apr 24, 2016 | Crow Intro
Besides the mystery and incredible intelligence of crows, I am today much more interested in birds, as a whole. I love their freedom of movement, and occasionally try to visualize the experience of flight in my meditations. The few times I have had dreams of flying, I...
by Lisa Santonato | Apr 24, 2016 | Crow Intro
What is it about birds, anyway? In truth, I never gave any bird much thought until I spent time in Vancouver. While there, I encountered not only the crow, but also two eagle sightings, two eagles that appeared to me at meaningful moments, as if in a dream. I have...