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In Jamaica, almost everyone knows the John Crow — that big, black bird often seen circling in the sky or perched on rooftops. But have you ever wondered how it got its name? The story of the John Crow is deeply tied to Jamaica’s history, language, and even its mountains.
What Is a John Crow?
The bird Jamaicans call the John Crow is actually the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura). It is one of the most widespread vultures in the world. From southern Canada all the way down to South America, turkey vultures live in open lands, forests, pastures, and even deserts.
These birds are scavengers — they eat dead animals, also called carrion. Unlike many birds, the turkey vulture has a strong sense of smell. It flies low and uses its nose to find food by detecting the gases that come from rotting flesh.
In flight, the John Crow often looks like it’s just floating in the air. It uses rising warm air currents called thermals to glide with very little wing-flapping. The bird makes almost no sounds because it has no syrinx (the voice box in birds). Instead, it only grunts or hisses quietly.
The John Crow may look scary to some, but it plays an important role by cleaning up dead animals, helping to keep the environment healthy.
How Did the Name “John Crow” Start?
The first known record of the bird being called “John Crow” in Jamaica was in 1826. This was written down by Frederic G. Cassidy and R.B. LePage in their Dictionary of Jamaican English.
Some believe the name might have a link to “Jim Crow,” a racist term from American history. But researchers agree there is no real proof that they are connected. It’s possible that the name simply grew out of local Jamaican language and the way people viewed the bird: black, ugly, and connected to death.
Before “John Crow” became popular, older names like “Carrion Crow” were used, which also referred to birds that fed on dead animals.
Whatever the true origin, the name “John Crow” has been deeply embedded in Jamaican culture for nearly 200 years.
John Crow in Jamaican Life and Language
In Jamaica, the John Crow is more than just a bird. It carries symbolic meanings:
- Ugliness: In arguments, someone might insult another by calling them a “dutty John Crow” or “black John Crow.”
- Bad Luck: Seeing a John Crow perch on your house could be seen as a sign that someone inside might soon die.
- Omen: Dreaming of a John Crow is often thought to warn of trouble or death.
Many Jamaican proverbs also use the John Crow to teach life lessons, showing how much this bird is part of local wisdom.
The John Crow Mountains
The John Crow’s importance in Jamaica goes even further — it even gave its name to a mountain range!
The John Crow Mountains, located in eastern Jamaica, run alongside the north-east coast and join with the famous Blue Mountains. These mountains were named after the John Crow bird. Before the 1820s, the area was likely called Carrion Crow Ridge, but later the local name for the bird became official.
The John Crow Mountains are known for their wildlife, including the endangered Homerus Swallowtail, the largest butterfly in the Americas. The mountains have also been recognized internationally as an Important Bird Area because they support many rare Jamaican bird species.
Photo – Deposit Photos
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