Crow behavior

[Alex Barker]

Can someone help me solve a mystery? For as long as I have lived on this rural/suburban road (34 years) I have frequently observed a large murder of crows congregating at a particular spot that spans the width of the road and maybe 10 feet in length. They seem to be eating something, but I can see nothing at that place in the road that looks any different from any other place in the road, certainly nothing that looks remotely edible. I see them at all seasons, maybe not daily but several times a week.

Any ideas?

Mary Lou in Sullivan

[Steve Plumb]

Seems like a curious mystery.
A photo would be great to set the scene better but at least a few more details might help.
Is the road paved or gravel?
Is it open to the sky or overhung with trees?
Is there much traffic? I assume they aren't chased off by vehicles constantly but do the return after disturbance?
Is there a time of day when you are more apt to see them?

Best,
Steve

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[David Gulick]

My guess is somehow there are some attractive mineral(s) in that strip of road. Either laid down when the road was constructed, or deposited by some other mechanism.
Is it a paved or dirt road?
Is there a spring nearby that could transport some dissolved mineral(s) to that spot?
Is it low spot where runoff from a nearby source could replenish the minerals over time?
Or a low spot where groundwater brings dissolved minerals up through cracks in the road, and as the puddle dries out the minerals are deposited?
I can't think what else it could be


> On Mar 8, 2025, at 9:55 AM, 'Alex Barker' via Maine birds <maine...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
> Can someone help me solve a mystery? For as long as I have lived on this rural/suburban road (34 years) I have frequently observed a large murder of crows congregating at a particular spot that spans the width of the road and maybe 10 feet in length. They seem to be eating something, but I can see nothing at that place in the road that looks any different from any other place in the road, certainly nothing that looks remotely edible. I see them at all seasons, maybe not daily but several times a week.

>
> Any ideas?
>
> Mary Lou in Sullivan
>

[Trish Berube]

I too too found your observation  intriguing and so plugged it into ChatGPT and this is the answer that was provided:

“It's fascinating that you've observed this recurring behavior of crows in your area for so long! Crows are highly intelligent and resourceful birds, and they often engage in behaviors that might seem puzzling to us at first. Here are a few possibilities for what they could be doing or eating in that specific spot: 1. **Hidden Food Source**: Sometimes, food may be present but not immediately visible to us. Crows might be feeding on small animals, insects, or even things like roadkill that have been camouflaged by natural surroundings or quickly consumed. The crows may also be eating scraps that have been left behind by passing vehicles or people. 2. **Insects or Worms**: They may be eating insects or worms that are burrowing in the soil or pavement. If there is a patch of ground that’s slightly softer or wetter (perhaps due to drainage or moisture), they might be finding bugs that are digging or moving underneath the surface. They could also be eating ants or other small critters that may be nesting there. 3. **Road Salt or Other Chemicals**: In colder months, some birds, including crows, are attracted to road salt used for de-icing roads. They might be eating the salt or licking it off the pavement, which could explain their regular presence on that specific stretch of road. 4. **Behavioral or Social Activity**: Crows are highly social and have complex behaviors. It's possible they are congregating in that spot as part of a social gathering or for some kind of communication. Sometimes they use these locations for “meet-ups” before moving on to other places. They may also be engaging in a communal behavior, such as “caching” (hiding) food, or even a behavior related to play or mating. 5. **A Familiar Roosting or Nesting Spot**: Crows often return to specific locations regularly. This spot might have been chosen for its safety, accessibility, or other factors that make it ideal for them, such as being a convenient stop while foraging. Even if there’s no food visible to us, there might be something about the area that they find important. Since you've observed this over the years, it's possible that the crows are consistently returning because it serves some purpose for them. It’s also interesting that they are there across seasons—this suggests that the spot holds some kind of value that transcends just food, possibly even as a safe or convenient place for them to congregate.”

Happy birding,

Trish

[Alex Barker]



Thank you, Trish. I think I have to go with scenario #4. Since it happens all seasons and weathers and I see no food source, I can’t think it’s 1 through 3. And since I don’t see them roosting nearby, I doubt 5. I guess it will remain one of life’s little mysteries!

Mary Lou in Sullivan

On Mar 8, 2025, at 4:42 PM, Trish Berube <faithre...@gmail.com> wrote:



[Alex Barker]

It is paved. Maybe there is a mineral, though I can’t see it, nor do I remember a run-off. But something makes that spot very attractive!

> On Mar 8, 2025, at 3:29 PM, David Gulick <dvdg...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> My guess is somehow there are some attractive mineral(s) in that strip of road. Either laid down when the road was constructed, or deposited by some other mechanism.

[Lynn Havsall]

I think you are right, Trish. It's ChatCBT, Corvus branchrhynchos talking!

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[David Gulick]

Is it a low spot that can collect salty water from road salting? When the puddle evaporates it leaves behind crystalline salts.
Winter would eliminate insect activity as a possibility.

> On Mar 8, 2025, at 9:34 PM, Alex Barker <axe...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> It is paved. Maybe there is a mineral, though I can’t see it, nor do I remember a run-off. But something makes that spot very attractive!