Ornithologist Dr. Rob Butler in Studio Talking Crows

Dr. Rob Butler, a well-respected local ornithologist, artist, and author joins We’ve Got Issues host Nancy Furness to talk about birds and books. Rob says people have become increasingly fascinated with crows ever since scientists have shown how intelligent and similar to humans crows are.

Dr. Butler relates that he became interested in crows when, at the age of 15, he climbed a tall tree to rescue and then raised a runt crow he later named Jake. Even later, as an undergrad, he held a job as a naturalist with BC Parks at the large seabird colony on Mitlenatch Island where he studied the crow population. This led him to go on to graduate work and eventually a career as an ornithologist.

Crows form complex hierarchical relationships, with the family as a social unit (only about half the nests are successful). Rob has witnessed collaboration amongst crows to keep intruders out and questions whether there might be community-level relationships as well. Crows also display complex verbal communication.

Crows from throughout the Lower Mainland return to a large roost (13,000-15,000 crows) at Still Creek in Burnaby. He thinks they may all roost together as protection against Great Horned Owls, which are known to prey on crows. The best time to view the crows is at dusk or dawn from October to March. A summer (end of June to October) roost has also been recently discovered on United Boulevard in Coquitlam. Rob suggests people can get to know where crows are in their neighbourhoods by walking, listening, and mapping sightings.

While people may say crows are just like us, Dr. Butler points out that humans are actually just like crows, and that perhaps we should have a different level of respect for them.

Most recently, Rob has written a historical novel ‘Letters from Gerald’ based on his love of birds, experiences with conservation, Science, and travel, along with a few surprises.