A wild crow came to the bird feeder and found a big, fat squirrel feasting on the peanuts that were supposed to be for him.

Squirrels and crows are enemies and never get along, especially when food is at stake, but instead of starting a fight, the crow did something unbelievable. He said "hello". Twice! He's a completely wild crow, but he can say hello in a voice that sounds much like a parrot. What's more, the crow actually understands that the word hello is a greeting.

This is an amazing and heart warming story that really begins in 2011. A nest of baby crows fell out of a tree and the attempt to return them was unsuccessful. The parents did not return for the crows and time was running out. They needed to be fed every few hours at that age and a decision was made to bring the crows to Dr. Kristy Hiltz, a veterinarian at Sherbrooke Heights Animal Hospital. She was known to treat any animal that needed help. Kristy and her family took on the job of raising five noisy and very hungry crows. This meant night time feedings, screaming demands for food every few hours and lots of cleaning.

Within two weeks the crows were able to fly. They began roosting in the trees outside and returning at sunrise for breakfast. Unfortunately, one of the five did not survive the early days and the family of five became four.

The four crows, the famous "Freds", became known in the neighborhood for their friendliness and their mischief. They were called Russell Crow, Crow Magnon, Baby Fred, and Adventure Fred. Kristy's family tried to teach them how to say "Fred" but instead, they actually learned to say "Hello". They greeted Kristy and the kids with this each time they came back for food. The crows were taught to find worms and eat berries from bushes. They were encouraged to find their own meals and were given less prepared food as time went on. Crows are highly social, surprisingly intelligent, and they even demonstrated a sense of humor and a protective nature towards the family. They captured everybody's hearts.

Amazingly, the Freds were able to join a family of wild crows that lived nearby. They became completely independent and even migrated south at the end of that summer. Kristy watched for the crows when spring came and she was thrilled to hear at least two talking crows at the bird feeder. Occasionally, a crow flying overhead would land in a nearby tree and say "hello". They would not take food from her anymore, but they would let her get closer than the truly wild crows would.


In 2018, Kristy's husband, Dave, put his GoPro out at the crow feeder as he occasionally does, to record the animals that come for the daily supply of peanuts. When he reviewed the footage, he was shocked to find that one of the Freds had perched beside a cheeky squirrel and spoken. Attempts at communication between animal species is extremely rare.

Kristy was also thrilled to see the adorable attempt at conversation caught on video. It is reassuring each time they speak because it tells Kristy that her crows are alive and well. It also tells her that they still remember the summer of 2011 and their human family.
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