What might attract crows? The answer, unsurprisingly, is quite complex. Crows are attracted to a variety of different things, including but not limited to: food, water, shelter, and mates.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what specifically attracts crows, whether you want to know it in order to attract or deter them. Stay tuned!
What Attract Crows To Your Property?
Shiny Objects
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why there’s a shiny object in your bird feeder, chances are it was placed there by a crafty crow.
Crows are intelligent birds that have been known to collect shiny objects, such as old wrappers and pieces of metal, and bring them back to their nests. While this behavior might be a nuisance to some, it’s actually quite fascinating.
So, why do crows like shiny things? One theory is that they’re attracted to the reflection of light. Another possibility is that crows see these objects as potential tools that can be used for building their nests.
Whatever the reason, crows aren’t the only birds that are drawn to shiney objects. In fact, many birds are attracted to reflective surfaces. So, if you’re looking to add a little interest to your garden, why not place some reflective objects around?
Fake Crows
This one may appear to be counter-intuitive, but, a realistic-looking fake crow will NOT scare the bird away. In fact, it will encourage it to land.
Other than being a social birds, crows have a crowd mentality, and they prefer to be with their peers. If they can see that another crow has already landed, the bird will not feel threatened.
The same is true for fake crows, as they cannot tell the difference between a real and a fake crow at first glance. They will believe that the phony crow has discovered a roosting or feeding site and will ‘follow’ it to see for themselves.
Fake crows are inexpensive and can be purchased at a variety of garden centers, hardware stores, and online. Try putting more than one in for the best effect!
Food
The simplest, cheapest, and quickest way to attract crows to any yard is to place a simple feeder. Crows are scavengers by nature, and by placing a feeder, you are removing the hard work from them.
Crows are not fussy eaters, but they prefer meat. If you want, you can leave a tin of cat or dog food out, or even old meat fat! You won’t need a special feeder because any old pet bowl will suffice.
If you use a traditional feeder, you should primarily feed it sunflower seeds and peanuts.
Bird Bath
Crows are often overlooked as garden birds, but these intelligent creatures can actually make great additions to your backyard ecosystem. While most birds are content with a traditional birdbath, crows require a bit more water to bathe and drink.
A small bucket or bird bath filled with fresh water will do the trick. Just be sure to change the water daily and keep the bucket in a shady spot. With a little patience, you may just see a crow or two making themselves at home in your backyard.
Remove Dangers
Crows are famously intelligent birds, and they are very good at avoiding any potential dangers. If you want to attract crows to your property, you need to remove anything that might scare them away.
This includes large objects like bins or barrels, or even smaller items like garden ornament or wind chimes. Crows are also very aware of any animals that might be a threat, so if you have cats or dogs that roam freely, it’s best to keep them indoors.
By taking these simple steps, you can encourage crows to visit your home.
Benefits from Having Crows on Your Property
Though they may not be the prettiest of birds, crows can actually be quite helpful to have around your property.
For one thing, they’re excellent at controlling pests. If you have a problem with rodents or insects, crows will gladly help themselves to a feast. In addition, crows are also known to eat grubs and other lawn-damaging pests, so having a few around could actually save you money on pest control products.
And if that’s not enough, crows are also excellent alarm systems. If someone or something enters your property, the crows will likely make a lot of noise, alerting you (and your neighbors) to the potential danger.
Conclusion
If you’ve been considering adding a little life to your garden with some feathered friends, crows might be the perfect addition. Just make sure you have plenty of food and water available, and enjoy watching these curious creatures interact with the world around them.
Have you ever tried attracting crows to your yard? Or maybe getting rid of them? What worked or didn’t work for you? Let us know in the comments!
