crows

[pigeonlover01]

does anyone know when crows start making their nests? after mating i mean.
i want a crow as a pet as i had last year but i dont remeber what time of year i got him.
thanks

[Pigeonpal2002]

Hi Andreas,

Aren't crows a protected bird in BC? Even if they are not, you shouldn't take a baby away from it's parents for the sole purpose of keeping it as a pet. This is unethical and morally wrong. I really hope you will leave any crow nests alone.

[John_D]

I believe you're right, Brad. American Crow does appear to be protected under the Canadian section of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/in...a/cnvntion.pdf

John

[LuisO]

As well as in the U.S. they are protected although you can shoot them...lol its funny and stupid at the same time. You might want to check with local rescue shelters or rebah centers. They may have crows available to people who are experianced in bird handling. Crows are very intelligent and require lots of space and attention. The best way to aquire a crow is to either buy an African Pied Crow (which you can legally own but will run you 1000-2000.00) or rescue one. Please dont take it from a nest because if you do you could get caught and we dont want that happening.

I have been thinking about a crow myself. I'm an experianced animal/bird trainer and crows are very beneficial especially when you have hawks around. A well trained crow will keep the hawks away.

Good luck!

Luis

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by LuisO

A well trained crow will keep the hawks away.Luis

I've heard that too. What do crows eat? We've got some that hang around here and I would love to have them spend more time in our yard.

[Camrron]

Andrea,

In your very mild climate in British Columbia's Fraser Valley, the crows can and do nest through spring, summer and fall. Can you tell me what happened to the baby Crow you had last year? You might know that one of the Crows worst enemies in your parts are of all things Racoons. Especially during nesting season. There is some sort of animosity between the species that I think relates to the fact that Racoons in your area live in trees and take so many bird eggs if found unattended. They are true opportunists.

Crows and Racoons are natural enemies and happily terrorize each other as they compete for the same space in the trees. I have seen how Racoons will kill young birds on the ground and never bother to eat them. It seems to be personal. But I am getting off track.

Luis is right that Crows need a lot of space and attention. They are incredibly intelligent birds and you cannot expect them to live in coops like pigeons might. I hope you will leave them be and reconsider the idea of trying to keep one unless you have the space, time and resources to properly care for one.

Cameron

[Lady Tarheel]

Originally Posted by Lovebirds

I've heard that too. What do crows eat? We've got some that hang around here and I would love to have them spend more time in our yard.

Renee, in answer - ALMOST ANYTHING! We have had a family whose numbers have fluctuated over the past 8-10 years visit us daily. We encourage them because we love them so much. They can be so silly and cute. They bring their babies up every spring. Last fall I mentioned that one of their babies got sick and I swear they brought him to our yard for help. But it was so hard to catch him even though one day he walked up our back steps and practically knocked on the kitchen door. Finally, we trapped him in a box but he died overnight. I'll never forget him either.

We feed them soaked dog food pellets, chicken, canned dog food (that was on the menu today along with some chicken), bread, cracked pecans, regular bird seed and most any leftovers like roast beef, fish, etc. Cooked or raw, they'll eat it. And, I kinda hate to say this but when we remove the eggs from under our pigeons we put them in the grass for the crows - guess it sounds bad but at least they get some nutrition from them. Also, weuse the top of a concrete well cover that sits flat on the ground so they can bathe. In the summer they pile in it and then get in the middle of the yard and lounge around and stare up at the sun.

They let us know when the small hawks are around and run them off. Now, our larger red shouldered hawks are a different story. They will go to the feeding container and the crows don't mess with them except to try to snitch some food away. They will run up behind the hawk and pull his tail (really, they do it all the time) and the hawk puts up with it awhile then jumps at the crows causing them to scatter. But they come back. They are so funny.

Maggie

[LuisO]

Crows are spectacular for chasing hawks away. We couldn't live in a better location for the pigeons. I believe there is a nest the crows are making nest almost directly above the loft. When my birds where out for the 1st time flying I did loose one bird to a hawk but the crows came quickly and started chasing the hawk away. They are great.

Now keeping a crow. A crow can be kept in a LARGE SPACIOUS aviary if you dont plan on training you crow. If he is trained a large indoor cage would be great, maybe something as large as a macaw cage and every day, take him outside to fly to help build up your relationship and train them. Take him on walks to learn the area. Of course you will walk and he will follow from the sky and trees but thats how they learn.

You would have to read up on Hand-rearingf, or building a relationship first and then read up on free flying your bird. Of course you would take him in at the end of the day.

A little story: A friend of mine and his father found a crow years back when I was in Elementary school. They raised it up and taught it to stay around. The crow had such a great bond with my friend that he would follow, the car, bus bike, whatever he would get into and go all the way to our school, about 5 miles away and wait for him ALL day! He would even come to the window and drop acorns and such at the window.

He did this for years! I wonder if he still hangs around the area?

Luis

[TAWhatley]

Crows and Mockingbirds are truly fearless with hawks and will charge, dive bomb, and do their best to drive the hawks away.

Yes, crows can and do eat just about anything .. a good staple diet for them is soaked dog kibble and hard boiled eggs.

Yes, crows are protected in all of North America by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and it is illegal to have one as a pet .. period .. if you get caught, then you will be facing steep fines, jail time, and it's a federal rap here in the US.

As was posted, you can buy captive raised exotic crows .. they are pricey, and you wouldn't be letting them out to chase away hawks.

Folks, I'm going to repeat this again .. it is ILLEGAL to possess any wild bird covered under the MBTA. You just can't do it. Yes, you can rescue an orphan (but you better be sure it is an orphan before taking it), yes, you can rescue a sick or injured wild bird, but in the US, you have at an absolute maximum 72 hours to get it to a permitted facility.

Here in the US, English Sparrows, European Starlings, and Rock Pigeons are not covered by the MBTA .. thus you would be allowed to rescue and possess these birds. Still, the same advice goes .. don't be out there birdnapping babies .. truly, you can't raise them as good as their parents will. Yes, if is it an orphan or sick and injured, then get the bird and do your very best to help .. just try to know what you are doing and what the laws are.

Terry

[Camrron]

Thank-you Brad and Terry for the heads up on the protected status of crows. I would not have known that otherwise.

It really is best to leave these birds to fly free with their parents and families Andreas. They are majestic, intelligent creatures and not meant to be pets at all.

Cameron

[christina11]

Next too pigeons crows are my favourit birds there wounderfull smart birds for my hole life iv always wanted one but i would not mess with any crows they can carry some very bad sicknesses that could make you very sick too im not saying all crows have these things as a matter of fact its quiet rare a crow will be sick but i would not take any chances on touching a wild one besides you should never touch a baby bird unless its parents for shur are not around and it defenetly needs help.!!! Or better call an animall controll especailly if its a crow.

[TAWhatley]

Want a crow as a pet .. here you go: http://www.geocities.com/corvidranch/

I'd love to have one .. just don't have the $$$ to put into it right now.

Terry

[Victor]

Crows? Blackbirds? I am confused. I had what appeared to be a scene from the Alfred Hitchcock movie, "The Birds" (minus the pigeons!) .There as maybe a couple of flocks of a black bird variety feasting out of my backyard today. There have always been "black birds" present to some degree...but not this many, or at last not that I ever noticed. They are long billed (white billed) black feathers but have the purple irrecandesent color around their necks that shine so beautifully in the sun, So, what are they?

[pigeonlover01]

i know ... but they arent protected u r even aloud to shoot them..
i want a crow to protect my rollers when they fly. i did that last year with my other crow it worked perfectly!
and i started With pigeons when i first took one from its parents and hand fed it. thats when i began to like them now i have a coupe full haha.
so i mean u gotta start somewhere right?
anyway thanx about the crow thing my pigeon is in deep trouble . please read the link about "injured squab" thanx

[pigeonlover01]

my crow last year,
i went to a summer camp for three weeks so my brother took care of him(he was already old enopugh to eat food etc.
so i was gone for 3 weeks and the crow let no one touch him except me . so my brother just put food out for him. HE Lived in my pigeon coupe with ALL my pigeons!!!!! sweeet eh?every time a hawk came he scared it away. so when i cam back from camp he was a bit too wild . seeing that he found himself a mate i let him out of the cage! he comes back every now and then. yesderday i was talking to my crow from about 15 feet(he still has 2 pigeons bands on him) he was caaaaing for about 15 minutes then he flew off. tahts my story lol thats y i want abother crow and they protect piogeons well .