A new study from Tel Aviv University (TAU) has examined what happens to birds that are accustomed to living around humans, when their habitat is suddenly emptied of the presence of humans. Among other birds, the researchers tested crows, ringneck parakeets (also known as rose-ringed parakeets) and graceful prinias—and the findings are surprising: While the crows and ringneck parakeets—who are characterized by their tendency to "follow" humans, are already accustomed to the noises they make and feed on their food scraps—decreased their activity, the graceful prinias, which are considered shy, actually increased their activity in the same area.
It’s not like a crow is gonna befriend a blue whale.
Where’s your data?
It’s in their other pants.
Sort of. Not crows, but several other kinds of birds would like to be friends with whales. The whales don’t really benefit from it, but what happens is that the whales will blow bubbles to heard fish towards the shore where the birds take part in the feast. So birds are observing and following whales. I wouldn’t be surprised if the whales followed birds to find the fish in the first place.