Guess why this crow is called “Pirate Sally”

Quite some time ago, while I was out shopping in Egå — which is actually far from where my regular crow flock lives — I was suddenly approached by a sweet disabled crow.
She was missing her right foot, but it didn’t seem to bother her much.

I gave her a few peanuts and some cat food and started driving home, but I didn’t get far before she returned — this time with her partner and their teenage youngster.

It was one of many funny experiences where crows recognize me far away from my usual crow hangout spots.

I have a theory that they’ve seen me, met me, or heard about me when they gather at Moesgård Beach a couple of times a year.
They come from all over the city — I’d guess there are a few thousand crows when they’re at their peak.
It’s quite an incredible experience, and I can highly recommend it.
Unfortunately, it’s completely random when I’ve happened to be there while it takes place.

It all happens in a single day, where they caw across the area and mingle with each other.

You can witness something similar in winter, when they gather in what’s known as a “winter roost,” where they sleep together in treetops.
Here too, hundreds — if not thousands — of crows gather at their more or less secret locations.