He helped a family of crows — and they never forgot. 
One man offered kindness to a group of crows… and they started thanking him in the strangest way. Years later, they still bring him unexpected gifts. Why are they doing it — and what’s the full story? Find out in the article below. 
Crows have long been recognized as some of the most intelligent creatures in the animal kingdom. Research has shown that they can craft tools from branches and wires, using them to retrieve food from difficult places. But beyond their problem-solving skills, they also have an impressive capacity for social bonds and gratitude—something Seattle resident Stuart Dahlquist experienced firsthand.
A lifelong bird enthusiast, Stuart was thrilled when a pair of crows chose a tree in his yard as their nesting site. For nearly four years, the birds lived nearby, coexisting peacefully with their human neighbor. But their relationship deepened when one day, disaster struck—their chicks tumbled from the nest.
Hearing the distressed cries of the adult crows, Stuart stepped outside to investigate. He saw the frantic parents circling above, unable to carry their chicks back up to safety. Without hesitation, he carefully picked up the fallen young and placed them as high as he could in the tree. Soon after, the entire family was reunited in their nest.
From that day on, Stuart made a habit of leaving food out for the birds. Over time, they became more comfortable with him, even relying on his help after tragedy struck—one of the adult crows passed away, leaving the surviving parent to care for the chicks alone. Stuart’s kindness became an essential part of their survival.
As the young crows matured, something remarkable happened. The family began leaving small gifts on Stuart’s doorstep. At first, he found a couple of tiny, handcrafted presents—rings made from aluminum can tabs, carefully placed on evergreen branches. When he shared photos of the unique gifts online, people were amazed.
Experts say that crows’ fascination with shiny objects, coupled with their willingness to share them, is a strong sign of appreciation and social connection. For Stuart, these small tokens were a sign that the birds truly valued their relationship with him.
The thoughtful gifts continue to appear from time to time, and Stuart has even considered hosting a small auction featuring the “artwork” of his feathered friends. What started as an act of kindness turned into a rare and heartwarming friendship—one that proves intelligence isn’t the only extraordinary trait crows possess.
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