Crows have always been associated with ill omens and signs of death. They are up there on the list of creepy things, on par with the Grim Reaper, ghosts, and black cats. The reason for this dark reputation goes way back.

Crows are scavengers and will eat almost anything. This includes plants, small animals, other birds, and even deceased beings, according to The Stranger. Crows are very smart and learned that when they follow soldiers onto a battlefield, there’s going to be a lot of food. They would wait for the soldiers to die in battle, and then feast on the bodies. Lyanda Lynn Haupt, author of “Crow Planet: Essential Wisdom from the Urban Wilderness,” says that “crows were [also] associated with the Black Plague, the Great Fire of London, and the Civil War…” because of their tendency to show up wherever there’s death.

Another reason why crows are connected with death is because of farmers. Farmers used to consider crows pests as they would find ways to steal crops and seeds. Lack of food is tied with starving and dying, therefore adding onto crow superstition.

Crow superstition even goes all the way back to ancient times. In a Greek myth, the god Apollo sent a crow to spy on his mortal lover. When his lover was caught being unfaithful, the enraged Apollo cursed crows to turn black, as before that they had white feathers.

Although many people fear crows because of their traditional association with death, there is no reason to. Crows are just incredible birds, and can even be pets. Research from The Science Explorer has shown that crows are very smart and caring creatures. In fact, they are among the smartest animals on the planet. Instead of fearing these majestic birds, we should be appreciating them.