The Art of Corvid Companionship: How to Safely and Respectfully Care for Your Neighborhood Crows
There is something cool about crows. They are not just birds that make noise in the neighborhood they are very smart. Have a lot of feelings. They can recognize peoples faces make tools and even remember things that happened a time ago.
A lot of people want to be friends with crows. Taking care of wild crows is very different from having a pet dog or cat. Because they are wild they live in groups and there are laws to protect them we should respect them. Keep a distance.
If you want to be friends with the crows in your neighborhood and keep them healthy here is what you need to do.
1. Give Them Better Food
Crows will eat anything. They will eat food from the trash. That is not good for them. It can make them very sick. If you want to give them food do not give them bread. Instead give them food that's good for them.
| Good Food | Why Crows Like It |
|---|---|
| Peanuts | Crows love peanuts. They like to hear the sound of the peanut shell on the ground. |
| Dog Food | Dog food has a lot of protein and vitamins that crows need. |
| Eggs | Eggs are a great source of protein and calcium. |
| Cooked Meat | Crows like cooked meat. Make sure it is not salty. |
Important: Do not give crows food that has a lot of salt, sugar or artificial things. Salt is very bad for them.
2. Make a Crow Feeding Place
Crows are very careful. They will not just. Eat from your hand. You need to show them that you are safe. Here is how you can do it:
- Find a place: Pick a place in your yard or a park where crows can see everything. They do not like to eat in containers.
- Feed them at the time every day: Crows have a sense of time. If you feed them at the time every day they will start to wait for you.
- Give them food. Then walk away: When you see a crow give them food. Then walk away. Give them a lot of space.
3. Give Them Fresh Water
Crows need water to drink and to make their food soft. They like to put their food in water before they eat it. If you give them a sturdy bird bath they will love it. Just make sure to change the water every day.
4. Keep Crows Wild
If you are nice to crows they might start to like you. They might even give you gifts like things or sticks. It is very important to remember that crows are wild animals.
- Do not touch them: Crows do not like to be touched. If you touch them they might think you are trying to hurt them.
- Do not let them get too close to people: Not everyone likes crows. If a crow gets too close to someone who does not like them they might get hurt.
- Do not keep a crow as a pet: It is against the law to keep a crow as a pet. If you find a crow you should call a special person who can help them.
The Takeaway
Taking care of crows is not easy. It takes a time to show them that you are safe and that you care about them. If you are patient you can become friends with the crows in your neighborhood. They will be your friends, for a time.