Manjunath Nayak:
Birds especially crows are developing new nesting skills due to environmental changes. A decade long study in Karnataka has revealed how crows are using metal wires for building their nests on trees.
Usually, we have seen crows build their nests with twigs or sticks. However, due to the decreasing number of trees & rapid urbanization, it is surprising how they are adapting to the changed conditions.
According to our observations in various parts of Karnataka, the crows build their nests with metal wires that are used for constructing buildings, instead of wood sticks.
IRON WIRE NESTS
It is a strange fact how small iron wires that are used for centering work, has become a nest building material either due to lack of wood sticks or to make its nests secure. As we have observed in different parts of the state, crows are making nests made of iron wires, weighing between 800-1500 grams.
A crow’s nest made of iron wire was found in a coconut tree in the premises of Jnana Mudra Public School in the old APMC premises of Nargund town, Gadag district when the school’s director Shivaprakash Hosakerimath was plucking a dried coconut from this tree. The nest found in the coconut tree was built during last year’s breeding season and the nest (850 g) has been cleared and kept in the school’s science laboratory as the crows usually build a new nest for the next breeding season without reusing the nests once built.
On this occasion, Kiran Chikkamatha and V. G Mamatgeri were also present as all are nature lovers and have great concern towards conservation. Ravi Kallimani, nature lover from Lakshmeshwar has also observed metal wire nesting of crows in Kalaghatagi and has collected abandoned nests during last year. This has been kept in Science Lab of Jnana Mudra Public School, Nargund, Gadag district, Karnataka.
MOST ADAPTABLE BIRDS
Sangamesh Kadagad wildlife researcher says, “Crows are the most adaptable creatures on the earth and can adjust and survive everywhere except Antarctica. Unfortunately, in the urban areas crow population is declining due to felling of trees.”
Crows are distributed in all parts of the world except Antarctica, which shows the ability of the crows to adapt to the changing environment. They also have the ability to scare eagles and hawks. (Mobbing). This bird is the most disrespected and humiliated species among birds.
HINDU TRADITION & BELIEFS
Compared to other avians, the crow is very closely related to humans. According to the Hindu tradition, the crow has a special place during Pitru Paksha (ancestral offerings in the form of prayers, water and food). The first meal is usually served to the crow amidst the rituals.
In fact, there are many superstitious beliefs prevailing about crows among the rural people. It is customary to spread fake news in the morning – for example, if a person who saw the crow’s mating scene means death of a person who saw it. Our forefathers have adopted such a practice because there is respect for animals and birds in our society.
Further, if a crow sits on a new cart, it is said to be a bad omen. Sometimes if its tone is hoarse, it means arrival of relatives at home. Last but not the least, we have often read the story about an intelligent crow which was thirsty and how it fulfilled its thirst by putting pebbles in the pot.
ENVIRONMENT CLEANERS
Crows eat the carcasses of dead animals and play an important role in maintaining the cleanliness and health of the environment. They also have the tendency to invite the whole group to eat if they find food.
In the avian world, they feed on carcasses of animals and birds especially road kills and discarded food thereby, acting as natural scavengers protecting human beings from diseases.
This author along with Sangamesh Kadagad have been studying crows and other bird species, their nesting behavior for the past decade.