Smart Crows

Foremost, when they think of crows, likely an image of them rooting around into garbage is going to come to mind. But rooting around in the neighborhood garbage isn't their only means of getting food. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that they hunt as well. Under those shiny black feathers lies a bird considered to be one of the most intelligent of all birds. Highly adaptable and capable of solving problems. Thanks to its ability to solve problems, it has figured out how to hunt a difficult animal without getting poisoned in the process. The best time of year to catch them in action is spring, when this particular animal gathers in large numbers on bogs to mate. On a toad's back are glands that secrete a toxic substance when attacked by a predator to protect itself. Crows are aware of this, though, and have a solution to it. Armed with a solution, this crow family takes to the bog searching the grasses and the pools of water. Once a toad has been captured, the crow is careful to then flip it onto its back and pierces the neck or abdomen with its bill, thus avoiding any toxic substance that could be released from the glands on the toad's back, and therefore having a nutritious meal. During spring, many toad carcasses can be found all over this bog, and most all of them laying on their back. You have to hand it to the crows. They are a pretty clever bunch.