A family of corvids built their nest right by my door. I’ve enjoyed seeing their nest grow, and I think the babies are now full fledglings.
Up until now, we’ve each been going out separate ways. Aside from leaving them some sticks to use, I haven’t interacted with them directly.
Today I either closed the door too hard, or they got spooked by the garbage truck passing by. A crow dive bombed me twice, hitting me the first time and whooshing by me the second time. It didn’t hurt, but I’m offended that they don’t remember me.
I know crows can hold a vendetta and remember faces. Any tips on how to get back in their good graces?
edit: I looked into giving them food, but it’s against the bylaws in my city
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bird-feeding-vancouver-bylaw
A Vancouver resident who admittedly loves feeding the crows in his neighbourhood is now facing a major fine.
According to Reddit user DubUbasswitmyheadman, they’ve been feeding birds while walking their dog.
However, they claim that feeding the wildlife irritated enough people to prompt one neighbour to contact their landlord to collect their email and phone number.
DubUbasswitmyheadman now claims they are facing a $4,000 fine for feeding wildlife.
You might not be allowed to feed them directly, but I bet you can eat a messy sandwich or souvlaki that drops a bunch of meat and cheese.
But now you might just be feeding them without them seeing it as a friendly action and get no benefits.
They’ll know. Do it a few times. Whistle, click or clap a bit before hand so they’re paying attention. It’s more about having an excuse to claim you weren’t feeding them if someone complains. “What !? I like eating my souvlaki in the park, it’s a messy meal.”
Oops, you left your PBJ on the porch!
Crows will eat cat or dog food (my local crows love the cat food we feed them!). If there aren’t laws against feeding stray cats, you could put a bowl on your porch with cat food and if you’re questioned, play innocent.
As an aside, if you want to identify the fledglings, look at their mouth. Baby crows have red/pink mouths while the adults have black mouths!
As an aside, if you want to identify the fledglings, look at their mouth. Baby crows have red/pink mouths while the adults have black mouths!
The one(s) in the nest have orange around their beaks, so that must be the fledglings. The one(s) that attacked me do indeed have black beaks!
Here’s the thing: you said it’s a crow, no one’s arguing that. But are we sure they aren’t jackdaws? They’re in the same family. Let’s get grackles and blackbirds in there, then, too.
As someone who is a scientist who studies crows, I am telling you, specifically, in science, no one calls jackdaws crows. If you want to be “specific” like you said, then you shouldn’t either. They’re not the same thing.
It’s okay to just admit you’re wrong, you know?
Not now, Unidan.
[for anyone who doesn’t get it this is the most famous comment from Unidan who was a scientist but, alas, drunk a bit too much of his own koolaid. Other than that, he was a very cool commenter.]
Shiney things, soft bits of fabric maybe? Also don’t see why you couldn’t forget some diced cheese or something gut friendly across species that you were enjoying on the step when you have to duck inside to make a phone call?
Explosives
Wait until the younglings are gone and then try to offer food on the reg. You need to be present. And be prepared for stubborn refusal.
They are smart birds to a point. If you leave some sticks out and then later they incorporate them into their nest, they won’t think oh this kind human did this for me. They needed sticks and took them. If you stay out of their feathers they’re not thinking oh this human is so respectful of my boundaries. They’re thinking this terrain is mine! So you’re operating on the assumption that you have some sort of getting along with the creatures credit that only exists in your mind. As far as the birds are concerned you were at best a dormant threat they could live with until something made you an active one and you got attacked. And now that’s all you are. And it’ll take time and effort to change that.
I read that if you make friends with crows you become their bitch, they don’t take “no” for an answer after that. Your only option in the future may be to move.
Huh I had no idea we’re not allowed to feed crows.
I got dive bombed years ago one summer, after which I started bribing the crows with peanuts from my balcony. I started by just putting them on my railing, backing away and letting them see me as they grabbed them. Now they’re used to me and let me get pretty close, or come hang out when I’m out there.
They’ve got babies out front of my building this week and show no interest in me or my dog, but I see them bombing other people regularly.
And so the war began between the squirrels and the crows
Crows would 100% win that war. They would gladly feast on squirrel meat.
I’ve heard that crows seem to recognize offerings made to them and respond well. Try going outside and, while in their sight (not too close, though), present some food to them where they can see it, carefully place it on the ground, and slowly back away out of sight once more. You may have to do this for multiple days or maybe even weeks, not sure. Otherwise, you can take solace in the fact that nesting season will probably be over shortly as crows usually only raise 1 brood a year. They also don’t usually reuse nests, but have been known to build on top of prior successful nests.
You should post an update somewhere in a week or two because this is pretty interesting!
Yeah I want to do that out here in the country, but they usually stay about 100 feet away. When I go outside they fly away and out of sight. =(
Maybe the trick is to leave some food (like diced and crushed fruit, unsalted peanuts in the shell, or mealworms) where they hang out when you see them? Them being out of your sight doesn’t necessarily mean you’re out of their sight. They could be watching nearby. If they’re in the area often, they’ll probably find it. If you always see them at a certain time of day, try leaving it out there a bit before they show up. Maybe if you put up some feeders that have crow-friendly foods closer to the house, they’ll warm up to it and you, You could also try leaving some food out for them a ways away and just hanging out for awhile reading or something, then gradually over time, leave the food closer. I’d imagine it could take some time and persistence to get the crows to warm up to you.
Fuck the bylaws!
they do like food, try different foods maybe. we have some ravens near us too.
