Boston Crow Mystery Solved - Communication problem
Researchers for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority found over 200 dead
crows near greater Boston recently, and there was concern that they may have
died from Avian Flu. A Bird Pathologist examined the remains of all the
crows, and, to everyone's relief, confirmed the problem was definitely
NOT Avian Flu. The cause of death appeared to be vehicular impacts.
However, during the detailed analysis it was noted that varying colors and
types of paint appeared on the bird's beaks and claws. By
analyzing these paint residues it was determined that 98% of the crows had
been killed by impact with trucks, while only 2% were killed by an impact with
a car.
MTA then hired an Ornithological Behaviorist to determine if there was a
cause for the disproportionate percentages of truck kills versus
car kills. The Ornithological Behaviorist very quickly concluded the cause:
when crows eat road kill, they always have a look-out crow in a nearby tree to
warn of impending danger.
The conclusion was that while all the lookout crows could say "Cah", none
could say "Truck."
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