Crows in Tokyo

It seems that crows in Tokyo are heralded with the same regard that I have for pigeons here. To Tokyoites, they are a nuisance whose high intelligence creates problems. Crows will pick through garbage bags and create a mess. They nest in power poles and gnaw their way through wires causing blackouts. Passers by have been attacked and buzzed by some of the more aggressive ones. It has gotten so bad that they have initiated programs to eradicate the growing number of the jet-black clad menaces. I wish our governments would do the same for the pigeons around here.

However, my memories of the crows tend to favor being more fond than spiteful. I remember waking up early and peering outside at the still dark morning. A few people are making their way to work. The ever-present clacking of the train rails can be heard in a timely manner. Every now and then a long winded cawwwwwww! will break the crisp cool air. Their caws are much longer than their counterparts here in the states. Here the crows calls tend to be short and concise. In other areas of Tokyo that are pretty quiet, like parks and temples, they can be heard very clearly. The sensory memory of their communications makes me feel homesick for my most favorite place in the world.