Nest-sitting has commenced for crow Milady, leaving her mate Rogue un-monitored, which means he has been spending more time in my yard. Just the other day, he surprised me by landing on the raised back of my lounge chair while I was sitting in the center section. He definitely wanted a treat like some of the cashews I had offered him earlier, but he was also looking for company. Crows are social birds, and somewhere along the line, I have been adopted into the family as the weird aunt that everyone makes allowances for because she colors outside the social crow norms.

I looked out my office window mid-afternoon and noticed that Rogue was dipping a bloody clump of something in the birdbath I had freshly cleaned just that morning. Squinting, I recognized it as a deceased fledgling that Rogue was disassembling to eat. I was ticked off. I accept that crows are hunters, but I dislike having to clean up the mess.

I popped out the door like an avenging fury and made it clear to Rogue that he needed to take himself and the body off somewhere else. He reluctantly complied, but did not fly far, landing on the roof of my neighbor’s car, where he continued eating his wet, bloody prize. Not the solution I was hoping for. I sighed and went back into the house. As soon as the door closed, Rogue flew his treat back to the birdbath and resumed picking at it. I went out again, and shooed him off for a second time, and for a second time, he took the body to the roof of the same car.

Back inside, Rogue again returned to the birdbath. This time, as I left the house, I roared: “ROGUE!!!!” I saw him jump in startlement. I had never raised my voice before, and it was clear he knew his name. He immediately picked the body up, flew a few feet away, and resumed eating it in the same spot on the car roof.

I was DONE. I stood at the edge of the curb, feet planted, and hands on my hips, and glared at him. I don’t recall what I said, but I suddenly became aware of the woman on the sidewalk directly across from me, walking her dog. She thought I was glaring at her, so I had to explain that I was arguing with the crow (the crows are not the only ones who think I am weird, I’m sure). With a start, the woman finally noticed Rogue and said that crows scared her a little. She asked if I knew how smart they were. I thought, “She is preaching to the choir here since Rogue always seems to outsmart me,” but out loud I only said, “Yes, and they are also great at facial recognition,” which prompted her to share a story before she went on her way with her dog.

During our exchange, Rogue had flown off, leaving the fledgling’s remains on the roof of the driver’s side of my neighbor’s car, where it could not be missed by anyone wanting to get in and drive. Rogue had taken all he wanted. Releasing a heartfelt sigh, once again, I would be cleaning up his mess. While removing the baby’s body and cleaning off the car roof, I also built a Bridge of Light with Reiki and sent it back in time to the moment of the fledgling’s crossing and included the blessing that the death may have been as swift and painless as possible.

Tell me again how smart crows are. Cats are not the only ones who have staff.

UPDATE: Not long after writing this, I looked out to see something substantial floating in the bird bath. It looked like a lumpy rag. Perhaps Rogue had started washing clothing? Wishful thinking. Upon closer inspection, I discovered the body of a headless gray squirrel peacefully floating on its back. Clearly, I had not impressed Rogue with my attempt to teach him table manners. I used the garden rake to scoop the body out and placed it a distance away in hopes that he might get the hint. I also built another Bridge of Light for Squirrel. It was the best I could offer in terms of respect. Needless to say, I looked out later, and the body was back in the bird bath. This time, I waited until nightfall before removal. I was certain I could rely on the opossums to be tidier.

And once again, I proved that just because one is an animal communicator does not mean one will always get the desired result. All species have free will and perhaps a dash of mischief.

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A WILD WAY TO HEAL
Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC is an animal communicator, Reiki Master Teacher, shamanic energy healer, and author of Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism and Out of the Darkness and Other Animal Tails. Her classes, sessions, and ceremonial work are inspired by wild and domestic animals who have issued a call to action for personal and global healing.