Crow Day

What Is Crow Day?

September 6th is "Crow Day" in Japan. The date comes from reading "9 (ku)" and "6 (rō)" as a wordplay on "crow" in English. It was established by the "Crow Fan Club," publisher of the magazine "CROW'S."

A Familiar Bird That's Often Misunderstood

Crows are a common sight across Japan, but their association with scattering trash and other nuisances often leaves people with a less-than-favorable impression.

• Origin: a playful wordplay reading "9, 6" as the English word "crow"
• Purpose: to share crows' surprising charm and intelligence, and to cheer on the people who love them
• Crow intelligence: research has shown crows are capable of using tools and even recognizing individual human faces

One of the Smartest Birds in the World

Crows are considered among the most intelligent birds, observed cracking walnuts by placing them in front of moving cars and communicating information to one another. Despite being so familiar, much about their behavior remains a mystery.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Take a closer look at the crows you see around town
• Watch a video or read a book about crow intelligence and behavior
• Look into Japanese folklore and legends involving crows
• Review your neighborhood's trash disposal rules to help prevent crow-related mess

Beneath Misunderstood Black Wings Lies a Spark of Intelligence

Often treated as a nuisance, crows actually hide remarkable intelligence and social sophistication. September 6th is a day to look at this familiar black bird with a little more kindness.