Gifts of the Crow Quotes

“Our words have no inherent meaning to a corvid; they are arbitrary, but the natural communication system of these birds also involves arbitrary symbols (calls) that refer to specific objects and actions in their world.”
― John M. Marzluff, Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans

“Natural selection is intolerant of idle verbosity.”
― John M. Marzluff, Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans

“Imagine the world from a bird’s perspective. Sounds that we cannot discern play in slow motion to a bird’s musical ears, enabling it to discriminate messages hidden to us. Most objects loom large to birds’ small bodies, but they can fly through, around, or over large barriers, giving them unique perspective and the ability to explore fine detail. Their speed and agility make the living world seem slow, whether they are hovering to sip nectar, perching to spy a mouse, or sailing on a breeze as they eye a child fumbling with a sandwich.”
― John M. Marzluff, Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans

“The acute attention that ravens pay to our subtle signals underscores the degree to which they can draw conclusions from our body language. They perceive our intentions even though we may not be consciously aware of them.”
― John M. Marzluff, Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans

“In a world where so much of our natural heritage is being lost, why not celebrate the few bright spots where it is surviving and adapting?”
― John M. Marzluff, Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans

“Better choices require some thought and sacrifice but are respectful of other thoughtful and innovative animals with which we live. And ultimately our tough choices will sustain our natural diversity.”
― John M. Marzluff, Gifts of the Crow: How Perception, Emotion, and Thought Allow Smart Birds to Behave Like Humans