In a quiet Seattle neighborhood, a young girl named Gabi Mann developed an unlikely friendship with a group of wild crows. It started when she began feeding them regularly outside her home. Over time, the crows began to leave behind objects—what Gabi called “gifts.” Shiny beads, a tiny light bulb, a rusted hinge, bits of glass and metal—small tokens carefully placed near the food dish or dropped into the birdbath. 

Scientists call this behavior reciprocal altruism—a rare trait in wild animals. While no one knows exactly what motivates the crows, Gabi’s story captured worldwide attention as a moving example of connection across species.

Turns out, ravens aren’t the only ones with something to crow about—dolphins, elephants, apes, and clever dogs may all be in on the conversation.