Name:  Princess
Species:  American Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos
Princess was born in West Cornwall, Connecticut.  The tree with her nest was cut down, and she was discovered soon after and raised by a person.  Unfortunately, young birds often think they are the same species as the animal that cares for them.  This is called imprinting.  Imprinting is helpful for wild animals so that they can recognize who their parents are.  However, when a bird is raised by a person, unless certain precautions are taken, the bird will think of itself as a person.  Princess is imprinted on people - she thinks she is a person.
Unfortunately, in the wild Princess would always be alone.  She doesn't know the extensive language of the American Crow nor does she know any of the behaviors.  In fact the local crows outside do not accept her and have occasionally attacked her.

She does, however, like to land on people, swoop down and steal some lunch, or pull at people's shoelaces.  Princess thinks of all humans as potential friends or playmates and she is quite forward about saying hello.  To some of us, this is charming, but to some it is terrifying.  There was a good chance a visitor to West Cornwall might have become frightened and accidentally hurt Princess.

Princess now lives at the Sharon Audubon Center, where we give her as much contact with people as possible, so please come and visit her!

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