Yes?

Damon was able to compel that crow but they got rid of that ability

They can, but after the first few episodes the writers took it out because they thought it was too cringy

Originally, they could. Damon used his crow to spy on Elena in the cemetery, but also to spy on Stefan numerous times, such as at the end of Pilot. Another crow was seen in the episode 1912, however the ability was retconned, more than likely due to the sheer fact that it seemed to unbelievable to have been an ability.