Having done some research, I’ve learned they eat just about anything, are diurnal, and of course, very smart.
So we got a tall bird feeder with metal rungs on the side, and two sections for food.
Going on the assumption that they’re clever thieves, we bought a box of hamster food and filled the feeder with it, and I am hoping that at some point, they’ll find my way to our front yard.
I don’t have the feeder hanging from a tree (can’t reach a limb) but from an old bench swing set.
I still need to put out some water
And I am currently thawing out some wild hog meat we were given by brother a while back. I plan to add this in small bits to their other food.
So if you too are a fan of corvidae, what’s your method of attracting them?
Anecdote: I saw a funny t-shirt online last night. Upon it were two crows on a line, One was facing the back of the other one, who was obviously female and wanted nothing to do with the first one.
I’m surprised that there are actually multiple web sites that list how to attract crows–I’d assume most people would conciser them to be pests. Here’s one page–apparently step 3 is playing a holophonor.
(Are you sure you are in the right place to see crows this time of year? Do crows migrate yearly?)
Crows evoke a neutral response from me, so I have no desire to actively attract them. But, if the spirits are out there, there is one crow I would like to see. My brother was fascinated with genus corvus. Sufficiently so that many of his friends and business associates remembered it at his memorial service in 1999.
If you are flying around somewhere I would welcome a visit. R.I.P. Big Brother.
I acknowledge what you wrote with the utmost respect, AsGuy.
Although I don’t know if your brother will ever visit you in the guise of a crow or raven, I hope it happens for you. There is so much we do not yet know about “them”, but it sure seems they mean us no harm.
Collective Nouns: Crow ---- A Murder of Crows.
Raven — A Kindness of Ravens.
I had a similar idea a few years ago, and I started leaving almonds out in my backyard everyday about the time this flock of crows typically was flying around. Then I decided I didn’t want a bunch of crows shitting all over my backyard every day.
Honestly, I don’t know why I suddenly took such an interest in crows and birds in general (I also love cardinals); I think it has something to do with motivating myself a little more. I don’t like to leave my wife where I cannot see her, so we both got to be somewhat “sedentary”, I reckon.
Chefguy, in addition to the pleasure of seeing you again, I will be sure to follow your advice. The hog meat is now (12:07 am) finally thawed, and I will put that out later in the morning.
Just a thought: I would never have thought that “bird-watching/care” would excite me this much at this point in my life! What’s going on here?
That’s what I would expect from such clever birds, Ignotus, and it makes me smile to imagine it. It almost makes me think of a Walt Disney film where the birds do talk.
Here’s one more question and hopefully you and my other birder-friends can answer it: Do crows have the ability to mimick human speech like a Minah?
Next time I see one on a branch, I’ll let him/her know that, ITD. After I do I’ll have to buy hamburger meat, I’m sure!
But you bring up an important point: Crows are scavengers, right, so I guess a bunch of cattle on a drive and their splats would be a “smorgasbord” for them, or are they a little more choosy than that?
It really depends on what the available food source is, if food is scarce pea sized dog food kibble will attract them but note that you can attract individuals and groups if you establish trust by letting them see you place high value foods out for them. Live food like earthworms can really teach them to watch you and start to build trust. Cheese and fresh fruit also are good but having something that is alive really helps.
Note that crows can remember and recognize faces for years, and if you get one to vouch for you it will end in a murder.
I had a crazy dog that use to carry individual kibble out onto the back porch one by one, then go out and eat them from time to tom. The crows figured this out and would grab a few while she was in the moving phase. After my dog passed I would carry pieces out and they would fly in to grab them almost from my hand.
One individual crow had a very distinct injury and visited for years. As they can also learn to talk I would always say “never more, never more” while feeding them. I never heard them talk back to me but I hopeful that maybe they did say “never more” to someone.
Honestly, put anything out there you do not want them to eat, and they will come eat it.
The silly things come and eat with my ducks and chickens, some times they will attempt to steal an egg, but i let them have one if the chickens dont chase them off of it, from 60 or more chicken and duck eggs a week i wont miss a few.
They seem to like the chicken feed, and corn on the cob, and cabbage, and shredded carrots
I tossed popcorn or peanuts in the shell onto the back lawn. Lately I’ve been tossing one peanut to crows that land on the roof and look at me when I’m hanging out on the deck. I reckon those are the ones who are most used to me, and I want to reward them.
