CBC Documentaries

A Murder of Crows

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A Murder of Crows

Saturday September 17 at 5 pm on CBC-TV

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A Murder of Crows is a visually stunning one-hour documentary that offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the inner life of one of the most intelligent, playful and mischievous species on the planet - the common crow. It is also a film that explores a unique pairing of science and cinema as world-renowned scientists, including crow expert Professor John Marzluff, joins forces with an award-winning camera team to explore the secret world of crows. A scientific exploration with a compelling twist, the film is a visually stunning HD documentary that reveals new insights and understanding into this haunting and elusive species.

crows may be like us

The average crow knows a tremendous amount about us, from our eating habits to our traffic patterns, but the average human knows relatively little about the intimate life of crows. And there is so much worth knowing. Crows are one of the most common birds on the planet. They have more brain mass per unit than any other bird group except the macaw and as result they often behave more like primates or even humans than they do birds. Crows have a proven ability to reason and problem-solve and have long and dependable memories. They engage in complex social interactions that range from group play and hunting to gang-style killings and funerals.

Many of us have heard that crows are smart but most people have no idea just how intelligent these birds are or how much we, as humans, can learn from them. With exclusive access to a series of fascinating new research experiments being conducted into the cognitive abilities of crows around the world, A Murder of Crows will shock and amaze viewers and change how people look at the common crow.

young north american crow

Join us on an amazing journey as we meet crow experts from around the world to expand our knowledge of these pint sized beasts by taking our arsenal of cameras to places the camera has never been before - high up into the treetops with baby crows, deep inside a boisterous roost site jam packed with birds jockeying for position, or way out on a limb as a young female crow prepares to launch herself on her maiden flight. Using tiny, state-of-the-art radio tracking devices, creative camera techniques and pioneering field research including new studies into how crows recognize human faces, A Murder of Crows will lead to fresh insights and captivating never-before-seen footage of the secret life of crows. We see them everyday and yet as we'll come to realize, until now we've never really seen them at all.

A Murder of Crows is produced and directed by Susan Fleming.

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The Nature of Things

Rare wildlife, unique perspectives, cutting-edge science and technology--Canada's longest running documentary series, the award-winning The Nature of Things with David Suzuki, cuts through the hype to bring you the latest stories from the frontlines of science and the environment.

Episode Features

For Teachers

Purchase this film online on the CBC Learning website.

Facts About Crows

  • Crows are found on every continent except Antarctica.
  • Crows have an exceptional ability to remember and pick a single human face out of a crowd.
  • Crows are far more likely to be found living close to cities and suburbs than out in the country.
  • Each generation of crows is capable of building on an earlier generation's knowledge.
  • New Caledonian crows are one of only three species, besides human, in the world capable of making tools.
  • Crows live with a mated pair, their kids, and offspring from previous years in an extended family.
  • Crows have different warning calls - one for cats, and one for hawks, and another for humans - 250 in all.
  • Crows are omnivores and eat fruits, vegetables and meat.

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