I have always had an interest in rehabilitation of the native wildlife species around the farmstead. Occasionally, a doe deer will leave her fawn too long, or she'll become the next roadkill victim and the baby is left all alone. We have successfully turned out several weaned fawns back to our property, but that's not this story.

In the Spring of 1997, a family of crows had nested and was noisily rearing it's young in the big oak behind our house. One afternoon I heard a rukus and went out to find a cat batting at a large black feathery 'thing' in the yard. Chasing the cat off her intended dinner, I found it to be a fledgling crow, not quite fully feathered yet.

Crow baby promptly assumed the 'I'm adorable, feed me' attitude, so I found a box and began the chore of hand feeding.

Between the cats and the Fire Ants, the question of returning this young one to it's nest was impossible. I found a cage large enough for it to hop around and exercise wings, and Poe became a computer crow.

Fed a diet similar to our own, (s)he soon became quite fat and contented to be a house bird, living in the most used room of the house, the little computer nook.

LEGALITY:

Let me say this: Crows and Ravens are in the Corvidae family, and are not legal to raise as pets. I'm not sure why they're ok to shoot year round, but if you wanted to keep one, you could be arrested.

If you have an interest, please search the Internet under Corvid. Several 'societies' have developed with the membership identity well protected.

SACRED:

Also, note, that in some regions in Tibet, crows are considered sacred. It has been said that to kill a crow is equal to killing 100 monks. If that's the case, then my 100 monks should be safe for many years!

FREEDOM:

We attempted to set Poe free several times during the course of the year, but his flight attempts were met with failure each time. Living in a cage, no matter how large, the wings and tail flights became frayed, and could not allow Poe to gain any altitude. Gasping and heaving, he'd be returned to the cage, ever thankful that I didn't abandon him like 'Mom' did.

THE REAL DIRT:

But, the drawback is that crows are inquisitive and rather free with their food choices. Not only did Poe hide food around the edges of his cage, but his droppings were also flung as he perched on the sides. I finally moved the cage out to a hay barn where I was planning on moving the rest of my bird menagerie.

Poe remained a cage bird even after we wired the door open in an attempt to let him have his freedom. Terrified at the great outdoors! April 1998, we were mowing the goat corrals near Poe's cage area, and the noise and movement were too much. He flew the coop!

Cage had been set inside a larger peafowl run which was perfect for the yearling to learn altitude control and landing skills. I put his well-remembered feed and water dishes where he could access them easily.

HANDLING:

We never handled Poe very much after the initial weeks of handfeeding. We always allowed him windows to observe his crow cousins on the wing, and they always answered him when he cawed in their direction. I had every intention of eventual return to freedom if at all possible. After the trial freedom of the peafowl run, Poe was ready to 'spread his wings'. I was afraid (yet hopeful) I'd lost my companion the day we turned him out of the large flight, but he only swooped in a large arc, returning to make an ungainly landing on a cedar post near my shoulder.

Months Later:

Poe is now a resident of the goat corrals and house yard. The cats and dogs keep him from getting into mischief (the garden), but he has learned that I bring out crow-goodies when I tend to the rest of the critters.

He is venturing farther afield these days, going 1/4 mile to the cool glen near the stock tanks. But, when I call, "Hello, Poe", I hear that familiar caw and in a few minutes, he'll come fluttering up to greet me.

A new batch of crow fledglings has begun to make it's appearance in the old oak, and Poe decided to 'adopt' one of them. At least, he moved his fruit and cornbread over to their tree where they could watch him feast. When one assumed that 'feed me' pose, Poe poked a nectarine slice in it's mouth.

So, the stewardship has been passed on. We have a wild mob of crows that gaggle in the pecan trees in the Fall. I feel like Poe will find his true love and start another family nearby in the coming seasons. As with any wilding, it's with mixed feelings that I will say 'Good Bye'.

The experience of successfully raising a wild bird is always rewarding, even if I know my future corn crops will probably become 'Poe food', or Dulcie the Deer food, or Roberto the Raccoon food, or whatever next baby chooses me to keep it safely until adulthood.