Is it true that when somebody has a crow or raven for a pet, they cut the tongue to make them talk?

Question

That was what I heard. A bit inhumane, isn't it?

Answer 1

I did some research on this subject and yes, according to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, it is illegal to own or foster many specific birds. There are exceptions given for certain criteria. Among them are crows (and also blue jays.) Getting away with it is not the same as it being legal or "O.K."
It is not true that splitting the tongue of a crow makes them talk. It is a common urban legend regarding pet crows. Personally, I find it inhumane, but believe it or not, the debate is still alive over whether birds and other animals even have feelings, including pain.
On the website "The Raven's Aviary: Close Encounters of the Corvid Kind" I found this to be one of the most frequently asked questions. The person who established the website loves crows. He understands that people find crows and suddenly feel responsible for them , despite the laws; so wanted to address FAQs. He said that it came about because someone did this for no good reason, (possibly even to stop it "caawing") and found their crow could speak and mimic animals, in spite of the barbarity. They thought the tongue being split was the CAUSE of the speech. We bird lovers know this is not needed. Birds either can or cannot imitate some sounds, including language of people. Splitting the tongue does not increase the likelihood (but may decrease it).

Answer 2

My Grandmother told me over 50 years ago that they had had a crow that talked. She said that the tongue was split so that the tongue could get flexible enough to allow the bird to form words instead of just noises.
Is it true?? I couldn't say, but it certainly does seem barbaric.

As to a previous poster who exclaimed that wild birds were illegal to have as pets, how does she explain falconry?
In fact many of the laws are up to the individual states. In Indiana you MAY own a crow, but you must first get a license from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The DNR will inspect your home several times each year to make sure the bird is being kept in good conditions. This is the case for skunks, squirrels, raccoons, and any other native animal that you want to keep as a pet. They are VERY strict, and it is VERY expensive!!!
Check with your own DNR or Fish and Game Department.

Answer 3

NO, that is not true and is an old wives tale about slitting the crows tongue. If you notice the tongue of a crow ( or any bird really) it already has a slit in the middle of it.
Crows and other birds of the crow family, like jays and magpies can already mimic other sounds and are quite vocal.

Answer 4

A mynah chicken is nearly a huge raven, and it has a great ability to speak and make noises. additionally, there are quite a few crows from different countries that are legal as pets, like African Pied Crows, i think.

Answer 5

It is true, years ago this was a common practice. When i say years ago, i mean many years ago, like 60 yrs ago. Although they thought this was needed to get birds to talk, this was not the case. This was long before Avian research and the findings of what, we now know, how birds use muscles to talk, not vocal chords!

Yes you can have a crow and blue jays as pets. Why do people seem to talk out their anus's on this board???? People seem to know nothing about what they state here all the time, yet make fools of themselves, LOL, yet seem to like doing it constantly, and it still amazes. Yet i find it so amusing when someone actually has a sense of humor they bash that person constantly, i just don't understand some of you people!!!

Some states have different laws, yes i understand that, but don't some of you have common sense at all???

Answer 6

Barbaric practice and completely ineffectual. Unfortunately, a lot of people believed it. If a bird wants to mimic sounds, it will do it without mutilation. A Myna is a perfect example. They are very much like crows and you never hear of anyone mutilating them.

In the rare cases these days where people keep crows as pets I hope they're not still doing this.

Answer 7

I had a crow and he was great.
he played fetch and picked up my daughter from school.
the tongue thing is wrong and really mean.
they will mimic sounds
my crow flew away with a female and now are living happily ever after somewhere in Toronto

Answer 8

That is so inhumane!!! I would never do that to a bird. People are so insensitive!

Answer 9

compleat rubbish, you are not allowed to keep wild birds as pets

Answer 10

just acouple of words.NO THAT IS WRONG.dont touch them,