Customer Reviews

Caw of the Wild: Observations from the Secret World of Crows

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With a beautiful and engaging style, the author tells of her personal experiences with four families of crows from her neighborhood. The details she gives are so thorough and heartwarming, you will come to know her crow friends as if you were actually there with her, experiencing what she did. You'll be drawn in and captivated as the human relationship with them evolves and strenghthens. You'll also learn much about crow behavior, and when you're not sure why the crows are behaving a certain way, the intuitive author offers her theories, which are quite plausible.

The second part of the book tells of her experiences while volunteering at a wildlife rehabilitation center, as she studies the behavior of the two indoor and three outdoor crows which reside there. Because they are confined to a cage, individual personalities as well as the relationships between the three outdoor crows can be intimately viewed.

If you are at all interested in befriending crows, or are just curious what they are like, I can't imagine a better book to read. Crows are so intelligent; I especially loved the emotional bond that developed between crow and human. This is one of the best books I have ever read!

Vivid prose packed with informative engaging stories of crows the author has studied over the course of several years. This study of crows is both personal and rich in extraordinary anecdotes. The author's patience at befriending the crows pays off in up close insights about their lives that puts in practice what ornithologists have discovered and written about in scholarly type books and journals. This is a very entertaining journey through a very compelling subject. If you love birds, and were ever the least bit interested in crows you won't be disappointed.

I had this book pop up quite awhile on Amazon, probably based on prior crow searches I'd done, but it took me awhile to order it. Once I did, two things got me right away. The first was the author's dedication to her grandmother, and the memory of her beloved canaries, for didn't my own granmother gently hold her canaries (each suceeding bird always named Dickie bird) in her hand as she trimmed their nails? Then, the first line of the introduction grabbed my attention: "I loved crows even before I knew I did." Me too! And though my love for them didn't take me as deeply into their lives as Barb went, their presence on the periphery of mine was certainly profound, as they lived around me in my busy suburban life, and quite confidently swaggered their way into my writing, ending up as pivotal characters in my fantasy series. It's just like them, they're there and they let you know it, one way or the other!
Caw of the Wild to me stands as a very unique book among those I have read on corvids, because Barb is not a trained biologist, but thinks like one whose heart is still connected to her brain. I guess that's what I mean about this being a very unique book. I love the feeling I got reading it and knowing there's a kindred spirit out there too, who can see the wonderous individuality in each bird. Really, she gives each reader a gift in sharing this incredible experience, that is more than worth the price of admission. Highly recommended.
Dawn Killen-Courtney,
author of The Trollton Chronicles

CAW OF THE WILD: OBSERVATIONS FROM THE SECRET WORLD OF CROWS arrived nearly simultaneously to CROWS and provides an intriguing contrast in style and approach. Barb Kirpluk is a passionate observer of crows and here shares her findings while tracking three urban crow families through their daily routines. She's befriended them, gained their trust, and thus provides a more personal observational style on crow habits and social relationships, including a healthy dose of scientific literature but adding a personal touch which brings the crow family to life.

It's unusual to find two specific bird books on the same species in the same publishing season, but CAW OF THE WILD: OBSERVATIONS FROM THE SECRET WORLD OF CROWS arrived nearly simultaneously to CROWS and provides an intriguing contrast in style and approach. Barb Kirpluk is a passionate observer of crows and here shares her findings while tracking three urban crow families through their daily routines. She's befriended them, gained their trust, and thus provides a more personal observational style on crow habits and social relationships, including a healthy dose of scientific literature but adding a personal touch which brings the crow family to life.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Thoroughly enjoyable account of one person's discovery of fascinating, intelligent crows. This is not a dry, academic treatise ... it is a warm and interesting account by a person who loved these strange birds and did a fantastic job documenting and describing their behavior and their varied vocal communications. The author even maintains a website where you can listen to different crow voices, some that I never imagined crows would make.

This is a simple, personal account of long term encounters with crows. Great for us Corvid lovers. It's not scientific nor great literature, but feels like a conversation with a friend who really knows crows. I like the simple narration.

I enjoyed these anecdotes and learned a lot about crow behavior. The author perhaps anthropomorphizes a bit much, and exaggerates her "relationship" with the birds; but I think one can overlook this and simply enjoy these crow tales.

I became curious about crows after hearing an NPR show years ago about them, and about how west nile was having a devastating effect on the population. What impressed me most about the interview however was hearing about the advanced social structure of these birds. That's what attracted me to this book initially, and is what propelled me through this interesting story of both birds and someone who was curious and caring enough to know more about them. Not only did I learn more about this advanced group of corvids living amongst us, but I too had my eyes opened for a peak into their drama playing out everyday right in front of us. All we have to do is open our eyes. Thanks for this insightful view into a fascinating subject. I look forward to reading your next work.

As other reviewers note, this is a personal story, not a biology textbook. The best feature of this book is Ms. Kirpluk's description of how one can feel that weird intuitive understanding and connection with another species. Although I found her writing style to be slightly distracting, it actually adds to the personal feel of the book, so it's a very minor complaint. I really enjoyed the book and respect her dedication to a seemingly ordinary bird. They won't be quite so ordinary to me now and I'm looking forward to seeing one soon.