legs. nlike most species, the chest settled into the large cage that I had and upper abdomen are covered in provided and was offered any and Life With a the purist of snow white feathers, all items that could amuse and enter­ terminating in a band forming a tain, and of course quickly became semi-circle round the lower nape - a spoiled rotten. I soon discovered Pied site that must truly be seen, to be that it was a never ending battle to appreciated. keep this bundle of energy enter­ by Robert J. Rush So why a Pied Crow anyway? tained, starting with the traditional Glen Rock, New Jersey Well, I'm going to tell you why - I'm (and expensive) dog, cat, and going to tell you about my Pied toys, rapidly transitioning to card­ hy is that crow wearing a Crow, Aristotle, who came to live board boxes, paper towels, rubber white vest? Looks llke a with me nearly three years ago. It all aquarium hose, towels, rags, and W crow dressed for a for­ started with an email to Rick Jordan anything non-toxic that could be mal night on the town. No, of Hill Country Aviaries, in Texas procured from the local 5&10 store. don't conform to our ideals of what who at the time had two young birds , unlike most parrots, constitutes being well dressed. This that were being handfed. After about make the most unbelievable mess ­ bird is an African Pied Crow ( two dozen correspondences and not just the ordinary five minute a/bus), an Old World cousin of our three months of waiting (ran into the dustpan and broom mess, but rather familiar Crows (Corvus brachyryn­ old summer sizzle and the airlines I leave for work then come home

chos) and the not so common wouldn't ship for three weeks) the Line drawing by orthern Raven (Corvus corax). young bird arrived at my door, well, Susie Christian As the common name indi­ almost, I had to pick up from the air­ cates, this corvid originates in the port and absorb a three hour delay continent of where it is found caused by a connecting flight. somewhat abundantly south of the But I still remember my amaze­ Sahara. In body size this bird is com­ ment as I drove home, opening the parable to C. brachylynchos with a little door to the carrier and seeing head shaped more like C. corax to that big red mouth pop out, uttering which it is closer allied. As with most a long whining hunger cry. As I had Corvus species, the plumage is pri­ come prepared, I removed a few marily black (although highly pieces of presoaked dog chow and ready to dial 911 because my-house­ glossed reflecting subtle tones of quickly satiated the crying void. has-just-been-robbed or a hurricane­ purplish blue) with a black bill and Once home, Aristotle quickly has-just-struck, mess. Feed Aristotle blueberries - the walls and floors are wearing blueberries, feed Aristotle {ii a:::> mynah pellets - mynah pellets are --; hurled halfway down the hallway, 1;; Da feed Aristotle mealworms - well you a: ~ get the picture. '"a Aristotle is somewhat of a large .co a.. crow with a very aggressive per on­ ality, and everyone including the breeder and myself thought she was a he. Well, it turns out that she was not a he, but rather a her. Aristotle is quite headstrong and fearless, and although she does not talk, she is very assertive in getting her point across. When attention is on the menu, she will call endlessly till she is liberated from her captivity, and this is equally true of being uncov­ ered in the morning - try sleeping in on weekends, I dare you! At this point. it must appear that a Pied Crow in the house i Aristotle c011lempla/ing miscbief somewhat of a liability - I'm an 32 Fourth Quarter 2001 repertoire of sounds, the likes of Traveling which I have never heard. I've also begun to notice her by Air increased sessions of "naughty Aristotle," begin­ With Birds ning with a fluffy ball of affection then transitioning in the Cabin into a biting agitat­ ed Mrs. Hyde. I by Sandee L. Molenda, CAS. gue s that's the Aptos, California drawback of a "teenager." ince the horrible tragedies of I have had September 11th, we have all fairly good success S been informed of the extra­ feeding my crow a ordinary but much needed changes AI1'Slotle demands at/elliion and doesn'l mindpetting or a staple diet of dog- good chin/cheek rub. in security regarding flying. For food (high quality), those of us who have the occasion accountant and unfortunately we mynah pellets, thawed frozen to fly with our bird, these have cer­ speak that way, and at times I begin mixed, vegetables, parrot pellets, tainly been interesting times. We all to think that way myself, but then I and cheerios. I supplement the diet acknowledge the need for the am reminded of why I like her so, as with plain tuna, pasta, parrot seed, searches and screenings and as she gently "coos" for me to come apples, blueberries, blackberries, someone who flies frequently, I over and massage her head and and table scrap odds and ends. This applaud the extra vigilance. neck through the bars of her cage. fairly well balanced diet is further However, I have found. that This crow reminds me of a German enhanced by the capture of the unfortunately, many security per­ Shepherd that I had once owned occasional fruitfly "on the wing." sonnel are unsure how to handle that would look so deeply in my The African Pied Crow should pets that are flying with their own­ eyes with great trust and loyalty -I not be recommended to just any­ ers. I hope to offer some insight and feel a great feeling of "connective­ one, these birds are a big commit­ tips on how to make your next flight ness" during our times of interaction. ment and at times, can present with your pet as smooth and easy as Once Aristotle's cage door is themselves to be quite determined ­ possible for security personnel, open, it's up and out, a bit of rapid "no" is not a known part of their owners, and above all, the bird. stationary flapping, and then on to vocabulary. This species, if handfed, my shoulder to travel wherever the is about the most committed com­ Booking Your Flight road (or for that matter, wherever panion an individual may ever want, Before you book your flight, my big feet walking over the hard­ but at the same time. may drive an make sure the airline you choose wood floors) takes us. individual to the point of being allows pets in the cabin. Not all air­ The thieving tendency of committed' lines do and all of them have the corvids is strong and rather well Long before acqumng exotic restriction of the bird fitting under­ known, but with age and repetitive corvids I had much experience with neath the seat in front of you. reinforcement,' Aristotle has evolved their positive as well as negative Others limit bird size to only from a constant jump down, steal attributes, serving as a part-time Cockatiel or smaller. FAA regulations whatever I put down that is light wildlife rehabilitator for several years allow for only two pets in the main enough for her to earlY, and "the prior. My experience allowed me to cabin so you must make reserva­ chase is on," to only the temporary make a well-informed decision prior tions for your bird with your airline. digression to old habits. to purchase and I feel no regrets. Ther will be a charge anywhere As her third year of life rapidly If you own or are in the from 50-$100 each way which you approaches, I am beginning to see process of acquiring an African Pied will have to pay upon your check-in the signs necessitating the acquisi­ Crow, I may only hope that your at the airport. Also, get a health cer­ tion of a male crow. Aristotle's activ­ experience is or will be as positive tificate from your veterinarian no ities now include the ever-increasing as mine has been and you enjoy earlier than 10 days before your "fluffed" head display executed in many years of "Life with a Pied RETURN flight. Not all airlines synchronicity with a whole new Crow." ,.. require a health certificate but that the afa WATCHBIRD 33