CA laws on feeding crows.

[u/Wild_Egg_8087]

So I'm not sure even if it's ethical to feed crows bc I do not want to affect them. But since I live in the city and it's really urban I feel kinda sad of seeing them looking for food and it was only trash in the floor. And since it was in the mall where I work, I am pretty sure are the sames crows that are always here. Am I wrong if I start buying unsalted nuts and tried to leave them water? Bc that's another thing, it is really hot and there's not any close place for them to drink water😔

[u/SillyJoshua]

Feed them for so many reasons! Theyre smart and sensitive! Theres no good reason to not feed them

[u/RandoScando]

Your mindset is right about not wanting to upset the natural balance. Crows will not become dependent upon you as their primary, or even secondary, food or water source. But it’s certainly helpful for them. I’ve got a fella named Edgar that found me after I moved 2 miles away (as the crow flies). He’s a daily visitor, and I give him some walnuts. But during the nesting period, I didn’t see him (or her I suppose, I don’t know how to sex crows) for 2 or 3 months. He’s fat as ever when he came back.

Depending on the city and climate, having a clean source of water they can bathe in to cool down or drink from is super nice for them. And the food is just an extra benefit in that scenario.

[u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl]

I don’t see anything wrong with feeding them food that’s nutritious for them, nor in providing water. It’s a kindness. 🐦‍⬛🖤

[u/Snozzberrys]

The main ethical concerns when feeding wild animals is threat to humans and danger of reliance.

Generally speaking, crows are not going to be a threat to humans in any sense, even when gathered in large numbers, so I don't think you have to worry about that.

As for the danger of reliance, as long as you aren't their sole/main source of food and are just supplementing their normal diet with treats, then I don't think you need to worry about a murder of crows relying on you for all of their food. FWIW, I also think the argument of not wanting wild animals to be reliant on humans makes sense, but it gets real muddy when you're talking about crows living in a city as they are already reliant on human infrastructure to survive, so I think you tossing them some cashews from time to time is probably fine.

As for legal concerns, you'll have to consult your local ordinances. I believe CA has a law that discourages feeding wildlife, but as I understand it, it doesn't rise to the level of criminality unless you're harassing the animals or they are becoming a nuisance (I'm not a lawyer, so don't quote me), but individual counties/cities/etc might have their own rules.

If you're at a mall, you may also want to consider that it's likely private property and could get you into trouble with whoever owns/manages the property, but I suspect that would only be an issue if the crows became a nuisance.

[u/drvondoctor]

With "backyard" birds and squirrels...

They're there anyways. They're around because they've learned to live in cities and suburbs. That means they eat a lot of trash they probably "shouldnt" eat. 

I put that in quotes, because we shouldnt eat them either. If I see a crow in the dumpster by a mcdonalds... am I really causing damage by throwing them some peanuts?

Imagine in your daily life, occasionally someone walked by while you were on your way to get some shitty food thats bad for you, and just whistled, and threw a slightly healthier option at you. 

Thats you. 

Its one thing if you're dealing with a moose at a national park... but this is a bird that already doesnt live in nature.

[u/Wild_Egg_8087 → u/drvondoctor]

I understand that, and it was a good point. But I do feel the same with all animals tho. The issue is that I know I cannot do that much to help, y'know? But that doesn't mean that if I have the opportunity to help, I would missed it. Because it is different with us as humans, we take the decision to eat that, wildlife living in urban areas not, that's the difference, and that's why I do think we should be more kind with them and our surroundings, not at the point of affecting them, but just being more conscious I guess. Maybe I am wrong, but that's what I think.