A good way to tell if the crows are full or not is to check if they are actually eating the food or spend most of the time hiding it instead. When you see crows digging holes or disappear into the bushes they probably had enough :. Feeding wild crows In this blog I want to share the videos and photos I took while feeding wild crows and explain how it works. Feel free to send questions or suggestions :.
Home Ask Archive Theme - good and bad reasons to feed crows - - what food do crows like? Posted by charcoalfriends. This is a list of things to feed, how delicious they are for crows and what to avoid 1. Carrion crows will come to gardens for food and although often cautious initially, they soon learn when it is safe, and will return repeatedly to take advantage of whatever is on offer. Their diet is mainly Invertebrates and cereal grain, also eggs, carrion and scraps.
The Crow will sit on high, surveying all around him. He will remember where new nests are being built, and return to raid the eggs. Later, when trees are leafier and it becomes harder for the nests to be spotted, the crow is quick to observe other birds carrying food to their young and again he makes his merciless pounce; this time he takes the chicks.
Nature is a wonderful leveller, and although the Crow is ruthless in his stealing and hunting, often it is done early in the nesting season, which will result in the victim building a new nest, laying a new brood of eggs, and because a better nest site is chosen, or the weather is warmer, the new brood survive. Incubation days. Clutch Size eggs. Egg Weight 20g. Egg Size 43x30 mm. We will be moving to another state soon and hope to get to know the crows in our new neighborhood as well.
As a 12 year old, 61 years ago, we were living in Timmons in northern Ontario. I went into the bush and took a young crow from a nest high in a tree. I fed it milk and bread and it matured.
I live in Australia and there is a large family of crows that lives just down the street from me that I've started to befriend recently. I'm not sure how it is in other places but pretty much within a 50 k radius of myself it is strange to see a family of crows with less than say 30 members some areas will even have groups that number in the hundreds.
Also crows and other larger Australian birds like kookaburras and magpies all have a really easy time accepting human friendship. I've probably petted at least wild birds just by being slow and offering some food, not to mention when I was a child living with my grandmother there was a family of magpies that would even come in the front door if you left it open just to ask for some food. We had three Siberian husky rescues and one poor little starving girl gave birth to a brat we named Quinn -oh, the mischief this one got into!
One day, I heard a strange sound and went into the backyard. The dog's area is 75 x ' and enclosed with a 6 foot high chain linked fence. On the back fence sat about five big crows or five ravens -we have both in our area. All the crows were mewling like puppies and the three adult dogs had spread themselves out. It honestly looked like the crows were trying to lure the puppy away from the adults and they were using the puppy as bait to catch a crow!
I yelled at all concerned LOL. I am so happy to find someone I can ask crow questions too. I have a group of crows, 7 to 9 or so. I give them a cup of cat kibble in the morning and another in the evening. I think it's all one family. I put the food out on the ground.
Then a Seagull showed up. But this seagull won't let any other seagull near all this. I give the seagull food away from the crows and everyone seems OK with that, no one is pulling anyone else's tail feathers. Am I giving them too much food? This is such a cool article! You obviously are very knowledgeable and I like the way you also explain the crows history and how a certain family line may have been in an area for a long time. That is really interesting!
Thanks for sharing your experience! My sister-in-law used to live in the apartment behind me and she fed the crows. She is no longer there and we have take in the apartment behind. One day I was sitting in the backyard and a single crow was perched on the power line obviously watching me and occasionally cawing at me. After a few weeks I decided it wanted to be fed so I went inside and grabbed a handful of dry cat food and tossed it into the yard.
The crow cawed several times and within minutes there were several crows in my yard eating cat food. This is a new venture for me but I love it and will report on my progress with my new friends!
Really, truly wish I would have had this information 6 or 7 years sooner. I lived in a rural neighborhood at one time. Each time I would go for a walk there was a crow that would "caw" at me angrily when I passed some large sycamore trees where he often roosted.
In fact, on a couple of occasions, he would swoop down and buzz my head. I would have to be aware!! I swear I never did anything to him, but I have to believe that he mistook me for someone who did. The only other thing I can imagine is that perhaps I almost hit him with my car and I didn't even notice?? I know that some birds do recognized individual people and don't forget. I had a crow -friend a few years ago.. He was a smartiepants I have chickens and he tried tirelessly to figure out how to open the coop to steal the eggs Left me feeling so used LOL.
Also that his offspring will also recognize me, which I find so incredible! Thank you - I found an answer to my question. The other day, I noticed crows building a nest in the trees behind my house. I live in a city - first time I've ever seen this! And instead of a pair, there are three - 2 larger, one smaller. As you suggest, this must be a fledgling from last year who's still living with Mom and Dad. I have a leftover bag of cat food the expensive stuff my indoor cats won't eat - I'll try offering it to my crow family!
Great article, crows are very interesting and intelligent. I had a nest last spring outside my apartment balcony, so that was a lot of fun. The building installed anti crow spikes after that, and the crows came back and managed to rip them out and knock them down 10 floors below, lol.
Not an easy feat! They came back and put nesting material in a few spots but I think the spikes must have made them feel this place is now unsafe. This one crow really liked my yardl He watched me chase the squirrels out of the back bird feeder, and decided he would take up the job. I've a great picture of him standing on the roof of the back old wooden shed, leaned over toward the feeder and almost threatening, squawking at the squirrel when in the feeder.
My two crows will let me come within 5 feet of them. I'm very conflicted thought because we have sold our home and will be leaving in about 1 month. Who will feed these two? I'll leave a bag of walnuts or kibble for them, with the new owners, but I'm worried that they won't take to the crows like I do.
Big fan of these intelligent birds, but they are ruthless in some aspects. I Was having a beer on the back deck after mowing the lawn one evening and noticed a lot of commotion in my neighbors yard. There was a lookout crow on a tree branch calling to his family and friends.
One crow came by, stood on the branch for a moment and dropped down to the base of the tree. The grass was long but I could see that he was having a tough time grabbing something, having dropped the small brown animal twice. I thought that they had found a field mouse perhaps. That crow was able to pick it up and flew off, but it was bigger than a mouse. Another crow came by just then and swooped down to the same area.
A rabbit came running out of the bushes and tried to attack the crow! I realized it was a rabbits nest and ran over, getting the crows to fly away. The rabbit had left and the crows came back to try to figure how to get the bunnies but could not move the protection. Every morning right before dawn I would put the protection over the hole. Every evening I would take it off, just before dark as rabbits feed their young at night by sitting over the hole so the bunnies have access to their nipples.
She was discreet and I was not Ever able to see her feeding. After 2 weeks or so I was concerned that the bunnies did not survive as the hole seemed to have little disturbance in the mornings. My neighbor kept an eye out as well and said that he thought they may have passed too.
They were a lot bigger than a crow could eat at this point and I took the protection away. The crows now hate me and talk all types of trash to myself and my dog all over my neighborhood. Often they tree a hawk in my yard and when I go out to see all the commotion is about, they fly away immediately.
The hawks are happy though. On a couple of golf courses here in Florida the crows sit in the trees near the 10th hole waiting for unsuspecting golfers, with fresh hotdogs, to pull up in their golf cart and leave their wrapped hotdogs in the carts.
As the golfers walk up to the tee box, the crows wait until the golfer is standing over the ball preparing to swing before they fly out of the trees, away from the tee box, down toward the ground and then do a to fly into the golf cart to steal the hotdogs. Crows have been a positive addition to my daily routine for years. If I am at work, home, out running errands, they are always watching me or caw cawing. When driving in my car either a single crow or several will grab my attention and fly directly over my car.
I assumed they recognize my vehicle and driving pattern to and from. One day when I was at work a crow flew to me and Let me pet it. I held out my arm and it landed on me. For the next few days it returned. Other coworkers were in awe as well as myself of this spectacular sight. I did not make any sudden moves. And pet him on his head and back of neck only. I assumed the crow had some human interaction in the past to be this friendly. Or as legend says accompanied by spirits. My father passed away during that time.
So I figured it was My Daddy saying hello. It could have been hundreds or thousands in Culver City CA. That was Epic!!! The energy was unforgettable. My husband and I both are avid animal lovers. Everywhere we go. I definitely have respect and admiration for their intelligence and mysterious nature.
I have been feeding the crows on my front lawn for a couple of years. I put out the food and come back in the house. They like meat and cheese and bread and have NO interest in fruit. I just love them! So that's It! There's a communal roost right near my home!
Thousands of crows! I'm new to tthge area and had no idea. Crows are cool. We had a baby that my mom raised 40 years ago. It would come land on the porch when called. It would also steal shiny things, coins, lighters etc.. One day she just disappeared. I have been friends with the neighborhood crows for nearly three years.
There are two territorial groups totaling about 12 The group immediately adjacent to the house is the friendliest and regularly comes to the house for their peanuts and dog kibble and to just hang out with my husband and me if we're working in the yard. Believe it or not, after 18 months of saying "Hello" and talking to them every day, one of them Jasmine says "Hello" occasionally when she really, really wants a peanut!
One day, I was talking with my neighbor, and Jasmine saw us. She walked back and forth across the street, imitating our talk with her crow "muttering. My neighbor, who hates crows, asked me what was wrong with that bird. I answered, "Oh, that's just Jasmine - she wants a peanut. My neighbor's mouth dropped open! During mating season last year, the crows brought me several "gifts," including a dried-up tree frog, and a paring knife! I really enjoy them, and when I go for a walk, I always have several following me as I walk from one crow "territory" to the next.
Friendliest "pets" ever!! One crow has come onto the deck while I'm there; the other waits, watches, and accepts peanuts tossed into the clearing. I'm careful to avoid conflict by using the deck and the clearing as two separate sources, timing the setting or tossing of peanuts so the Crows, Jays and Squirrels get a more or less equal share without having to compete.
Even with the temps dipping to -5 or lower lately, the crows and squirrels are there each day. Not sure where the blue jays have moved on to, but they haven't been around since just after the snow fell.
The crows seem to accept that the squirrels were part of the breakfast club before they were; they don't seem upset waiting for their turn. Crows do need to feel safe and there are times when peanuts are not scooped from atop the desk post until I walk off the deck or open the door to go back in the house. The current setup and somewhat thin layer of trust is fine with me. I just want to see them fed at least once a day on days off, they might get a mid-afternoon serving of peanuts.
Because my work day begins at Noon, the mid-morning feedings are never missed; they know that is a reliable time and anything after that is "gravy. I have a mixture of shelled peanuts, corn, sunflower seeds and trail mix My grandparents have a small pond near their house in addition to larger ones around the land.
But my grandmother would go out and throw leftovers and scraps into the pond to feed the fish. They noticed a big swirl that would come to the surface when she threw the food out.
Once she threw a full hotdog bun and something swirled around it and swallowed the whole thing. We watched it enough we were able to see it was a catfish. We stopped fishing in that pond afraid we would catch Big Boy and end our fun. I like to think of myself as an animal conservationist and enjoy feeding crows at home and at work. Mainly shell peanuts but my wife despises it because she calls them rats with wings and food left on the ground will attract real rodents.
I've ignored her and she says I don't listen to her or at least that's what I think she said lol. I love crows and have always wanted to be friends. Thanks of all this good information. They use to fly in our Guinea fowl house and steal eggs. Really enjoyed your article -- I am also a crow lover, and have a family of crows who come to my house every morning for their breakfast -- their favourite food s are bread, nuts, cheese, baloney, chicken, and Doritos chips. I have a pair of crows who had a young un earlier this year.
They come down in the morning when I get up. Its never at the same time so I don't know how they know, they must watch.
They like raw bacon fat, dog food, suet, monkey nuts etc. Recently I think the grown up young one has joined them. I make sure he eats every day. I have named him Wingy of course!. They regularly hide food in the garden too and can be seen collecting it later. Such clever birds but sadly misunderstood as pests mostly.
They also do a really good job of pecking moss off the roof of the house, mostly to get to whatever tasty bit is perhaps hidden underneath, but it keeps the slated roof clear of the moss. Amazing birds! We started feeding 3 ravens five years ago. Now we have a family of 7 ravens the original 3 plus 4 young. They have been a real pleasure for us since we live in the country and work from home. Almost every morning they caw to tell us their ready for breakfast.
Usually it's leftover chicken or meat and lots of stale bread. We have heard some very unusual language from them. Almost alien. Wish o recorded it but never had the chance. One day the adult said "good crow good crow for nearly 30 minutes.
That's what I've been saying to my ravens all these years We noticed one summer two Crows who were hanging around a certain spot near our apartment. Turns out under a tree off the sidewalk was a dead crow based of its size I'd say it was an adolescent.
It was pretty sad realizing that these two were very likely it's parents who were mourning. I named the dead crow Mavis, and we had a proper burial for her. Based on what I saw she had a cracked collar bone. But what really bothered me was she had no head. To this day I'm convinced that someone in the neighbourhood was killing Crows.
Since during that summer we came across about 4 dead Crows. I love Crows very much. I haven't gotten around to feeding them yet, but they seem interested in following me around. And I always make sure to say Hi to them when I can. I also wanted to add that while the fledgling with the broken wing was in my backyard, I noticed an improvement in his condition when I added water packed tuna or salmon in addition to the other foods I was putting out.
Other foods I put out included small pieces of steak, chicken, boiled egg yolks, watermelon, blueberries and unsalted peanuts. I tried some other foods but they were left behind, sometimes neatly stacked in a pile. We had a fledgling with a broken wing in our fenced backyard. We contacted some wildlife rehabbers who told us if it wasn't healed within two weeks it never will. We allowed the fledgling to stay in the backyard and put out food for the parents and they have continued to feed the fledgling.
After several months, the wing which had been hanging started to be held closer to his body. Eventually the fledgling did fly out of the backyard over the fence and is improving everyday. I still find him in the neighborhood and take food to the parents. Hopefully he will be able to roost with them at night soon. Occasionally I have seen him on single story roofs and I hope he will be strong enough to go with the family if they leave when the snow comes.
The ones around my house love the sun flower seed I put out, and that happened by accident. I was feeding other birds when they just started showing up and picking out only the sun flower seed. I feed them a stash of there on now. There very Intelligent birds. I have a family of backyard crows.
I too felt worried about feeding, but I have observed that they won't become dependent. They have activity a life that does not depend on a humans schedule. I don't usually feed yr round except for a couple of stragglers that hang around throughout the winter. I provide watermelon on my balcony during fledging. I would rather that they nest elsewhere, but I'm tolerant. Neighborhood cats hang around and makes me nervous for them. When I feed I don't stick around. I only feed when they sit at my kitchen window while I'm cooking or doing the dishes.
They see me in the window and roost at the window giving me goo goo eyes. They turn their nose up sometimes and just hang around roosting on the back of the patio chair.
They are very teratorial and rarely a war accept in the spring time. I think the demand to keep the brooder fed and the fledging fed is stressful so any food no matter how hard to obtain is sought after by a few unwelcomed families. They dive bomb the intruders just as if they would treat a hawk swooping by. One time I picked up one of their babies that I had felt fell out of the tree too soon and it really caused an uproar.
So I just left it alone. It took a week or so before they stopped screaming at me and things returned to normal. They later brought this one to the balcony for watermelon. There is usually 3 to 4 babies in late spring and then sometimes one more baby much later. Around early fall there is just 1 primary close to me and others hanging around lurking and waiting until I shut the door I don't know where everyone else goes after a summer of high activity, probably inland to the city dump It's quiet and feels as if the vacationing family have left for the summer.
I feed a family of 3 crows during my tea and dinner breaks at work. I'v seen the older pair bring up 2 young crows now. In the spring, however, when the crows are laying their eggs and have young in the nest, you might want to be more particular about providing nutritious foods, particularly egg yolk and dog or cat food, to help ensure healthy fledglings.
In early May , I personally observed a crow flying overhead carrying a garter snake that was about a foot long in its beak. A resident of an assisted living facility reported May that the crows were eating all the fish out of their pond. Exactly how they did their fishing was not reported. Please sent observations to crows. Unless you indicate otherwise, your observations will be published on the website with your name included.
This section will be added to on a continuing basis. Your comments and suggestions are welcomed. Other parts of the site are also under construction. This site will be continually expanding as the Crows.
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