Crows are such social and intelligent birds! I rarely see a crow on its own. If I do see a single crow, it always seems to be calling to or flying towards other crows.
Although male and female crows look the same, when I see two crows spending time together, I have always assumed they were mates.
So, do crows mate for life, and do they spend most of their time with their mates?
The Bonds Between Crows
It’s not easy studying the interactions between male and female crows. Difficulties stem from the fact that both sexes look extremely similar. The birds certainly know how to tell each other apart but, to us, male and female crows look pretty much the same.
If we take a close look at two crows together, we might notice the main way to tell them apart; their size. It’s really hard to discern but males are slightly bigger than females. See two crows together like that, with one bigger than the other, you are looking at a pair of crows.
As far as we know, male and female American Crows form strong pair bonds and do indeed mate for life. Along with other crows in their family group, they forage together, and watch out for each other. Since crows are such intelligent birds with complex behaviors, it can be hard to know if pairs are interacting with each other, or just with other members of their family.
Crows in the same family often vocalize with each other and do other social behaviors. However, if you notice two crows gently preening each other, those two birds might be a pair. Mated crows also gently hold each other’s beaks.
How Do Crows Find Their Mates?
Crows don’t seem to find their mates like a lot of other birds do. While other birds sing or do other displays, we don’t see that with American Crows. There’s a chance courtship displays do happen, but maybe in subtle ways that are hard for people to notice or recognize.
It must happen in some way, though, because, as with other birds, crows do look for and find mates. Since crows are such social birds, a single crow may find a mate when it meets other crows in a flock or in feeding situations where crows gather.
It wouldn’t be surprising if single crows look around to see which other crows might be single or communicate in some way to show that they are single. They might even ask other crows in some way if they have a mate. They probably also note when a crow lacks a mate, especially it’s alone instead of spending time near another crow.
When two crows do become interested in each other, they pay more attention to each other and eventually begin to preen together. They also touch their beaks.
After becoming mates, male crows can become defensive of their mates, especially during the breeding season.
Family’s Role
In crows, raising young can be a family affair. Some crow pairs raise their babies on their own but most also have young, related birds that help.
The nesting process starts with the crow pair building their nest. They might add fresh sticks to an old nest or make a new one. Either way, both sexes build it out of sticks, and the female crow puts in the final touches.
Before she lays her eggs, she sits on or next to the nest and makes food-begging calls. Her mate brings her food and continues to feed her while she incubates the eggs. During that 16-day incubation period, young, related crows also help feed her.
After the eggs hatch, the mother crow broods her babies for 9 to 14 days. She uses her body to protect the young birds and keep them warm while her mate and helper crows bring food. They bring food both for her and the nestlings.
Once the nestlings are big enough, their mother also starts to feed them. If she has helpers, she doesn’t feed them as much, but whether helpers are present or not, father crows always bring the same amount of food.
Fun Facts About Crows & Their Relationships
- Crows rarely divorce. Crows mate for life, but they can find a new mate if their first nesting attempt fails.
- When female crows incubate, they are susceptible to aggressive males that want to mate with them.
- During incubation, helper crows may feed the female more often so her mate can guard her from other male crows.
- Crow pairs often forage together and are very alert. One bird may watch for predators as the other one looks for food.
- American Crow families can include 15 individuals that stay together for several years!
- Crows don’t find a mate until they are around two years old.
- American Crows make bulky stick nests, often high in trees. Rarely, they also nest much lower and even on the ground.
- Crows usually nest earlier than warblers and many other small birds. They can even lay eggs by early April.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are crows monogamous?
Indeed, crows are monogamous. Crow pairs only divorce if their nesting attempts fail.
What happens if a crow’s mate dies?
If a crow’s mate dies, it finds a new one shortly after.
How loyal are crows?
Crows are very loyal and monogamous birds.
Do crows show love?
At the moment, we don’t know if crows show love like humans do. However, since they are very intelligent, social, and have strong pair bonds, it seems likely that crows show and feel some form of live.