Bird Species

Crows

Crows are well-known for their intelligence, but less well-known is their ability to recognize and remember individual human faces. Crows can hold grudges against specific individuals they perceive as threats for years and pass on that grudge to their offsprings.

Understand the Problem

Issues Caused By Crows

Crows have historically been such a threat to farmers that antiquated bird control solutions like scarecrows were deployed to try and manage these birds. However, crows can pose issues in both farm and urban settings, such as:

Solutions

How to Manage Issues
with Crows

As they are incredibly intelligent birds, managing crows requires solutions that they can not outsmart. Some of the most effective solutions when dealing with crows include:

Diverse Range of Species

Learn More About the Species

Appearance

The American Crow is a medium sized solid black bird with a large beak and square tail.

Behavior

Crows are common birds, often seen in small family unit flocks called “murders”. They are some of the most intelligent and social animals on the planet and thrive in urban settings. They also have strong family bonds, working cooperatively with past broods to raise new chicks. In the fall, thousands of crows may flock together during migration.

Diet

Crows are true opportunistic omnivores that feed on almost anything including nuts, fruits, rodents, crops, insects, worms, fish, crayfish, hatchling birds, eggs, carrion, and human food waste. They may also steal food from picnickers and have even been known to trick humans into leaving food unattended.

Habitat

Crows are highly adaptable and can live nearly anywhere that has food to eat and a few trees to roost in. They can be found in both wild and urban areas.

Nesting

While crows prefer to nest in conifers, they may nest in other trees if conifers are not available. Crow nests are large and composed of sticks with a softer inner cup. Crows lay between 3-9 pale blue or green eggs, which hatch in just over 2 weeks.

Migration

Crows are resident birds in the Midwest, only migrating short distances to find food and water. They typically do not go far from their nesting areas year-round, though they may flock up with other family groups or the birds that migrate down from Canada.

Protected Status

Yes, protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in the US.

Sources: The Audubon Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology bird guide, Humane Society of the United States, Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, Nest Watch