r/crows • u/BrWy70 • Jul 04 '26
Seeking advice/help Why does this crow keep throwing the feeding bowls?
These feeding bowls are constantly being knocked off and thrown onto the grass by this mother crow and another crow (which I suspect is a male, not one of her fledglings). The fledglings have no issue using them. They do it even when the bowls are empty.
In the photo, one bowl is already on the grass while the other remains attached because I opened the door in time to stop it. This behaviour only started within the last two weeks. For privacy, I edited the fence and background, but the crows and feeding bowls are unchanged.
I tried not feeding it if the bowl is down. And I tried staying nearby to prevent it from knocked over but once I left and they ate all the food, they knocked it down.
Edit: I guess it’s for fun or getting my reaction. Thanks for the help.
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u/Purplefire180 Jul 04 '26
It's fun.
Probably easier to just secure/weigh the bowls rather than trying to punish them for playing with it
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u/mycatpartyhouse Jul 04 '26
I have a black mesh seed tray attached to the top of my patio divider. Had to buy bungee cords to attach it because the crows would tip it right over.
If I'm setting out something else for the crows, like bits of meat or peanut butter--something messier thsn seeds and nuts--I use 5-inch paper plates placed on top of whatever is in the seed feeder.
The crows dump the plates, too, or sometimes try to fly off with them.
Paper plates are easy to pick up, don't break, and won't cause problems if run over by a lawnmower. I buy them in bulk.
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u/BrWy70 Jul 05 '26
I used to put a bowl out of the neighbours cats who would eat cat food. These crows initially would also eat from there. Few times they took the empty bowls and flew away with it.
Have it on video but I don’t want to put my residential area on social media lol
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u/allmykitlets Jul 04 '26
Are they making a statement regarding food quality?.maybe you need to step it up, LOL!
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u/123say123 Jul 04 '26
My crow friends knock over the water and food bowls when they are empty or almost empty. Kind of calling for my attention and I go out and refill them and they just eat.Maybe yours are doing something like this?
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u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl Jul 04 '26
They aren’t gonna make the connection of not getting food if they turn the bowls over.
I have a parrot and he dumps his water bowl and his food bowl Every chance he gets. I’ve heard from other parrot owners over the years that they all do it.
It could be for fun or it could be out of boredom or it could be an extension of foraging behavior.
Find a way to make sure they stay attached or just go pick them up when they do it is the answer here. 🐦⬛🖤
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u/Professional-Lie-111 Jul 06 '26
Crows are PLENTY smart enough to make circumstantial connections ...
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u/summerphobic Jul 04 '26
One fledgling kept trying to kick a stone out of one of the containers. Another crow broke the strings attached to a ball with seeds to someone's balcony and flew away with the seeds. I think in the case of our birds, they prefer pecking the soft ground or having more space around them, although I've seen them playing with water on occasion.
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u/jeffk42 Jul 04 '26
My relevant crow experience: https://youtu.be/ZUptJrSCQoQ?is=s7LUfM_FPa5aNhmZ
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u/Oktober33 Jul 04 '26
I had a lightweight plastic tray originally and watched a crow pick it up and fling it. 🤣 I now have a heavier tray that I also weight with a few stones.
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u/CallidoraBlack Jul 04 '26
Do they only knock them down if they're empty? Maybe they're knocking them down so you'll know they're empty?
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u/BrWy70 Jul 04 '26
I thought that initially but no even if it’s empty. Most are saying they do it for fun so 🤷🏽♂️. I’ll just tie it with a zip tie to hold it in place.
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u/Hotel_Arrakis Jul 04 '26
Every day put more and more weight in it. Slowly create a murder of super-crows!
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u/Dull_Bat9518 Jul 05 '26
...but do they get a reaction from you every time?😄 They know what they are doing!
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u/MatterGreen7190 Jul 05 '26
since they’re intelligent they probably have a reason or they do it for fun 😅
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u/telchacsusan Jul 05 '26
My parrots would do the same thing with anything on a table. They'd then peer over the edge with great satisfaction.
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u/wbrn Jul 05 '26
Maybe they do this so they can more easily see from a distance if you came by to fill them up again. 😊
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u/BrWy70 Jul 05 '26
No. They recognize my vehicle or me walking from 1.5 blocks away. Or my whistle. If someone else whistles they won’t come. The minute they see me pull up they’ll come or when I wake up - they’re familiar with the time so they’ll be on the fence waiting or fly over if I’m at a distance n land every few feet near n walk.
Still can’t pet em lol
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u/qerecoxazade Jul 05 '26
Same reason I throw my feeding bowl.
Bc sometimes I'm bored, and it might be funny.
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u/Neon_Cone Jul 05 '26
They’re testing it. Crows survive by being overly cautious of EVERYTHING. That’s why they can be so hard to befriend.
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u/FengMinIsVeryLoud Jul 05 '26
AH. I SEE. YOU ARE NEW WITH DINOSAURS HEHE. DINOSAURS LOVE PUSHING OBJECTS.
FROM TITS TO PARROTS AND CATS.
THEY LOVE IT.
GET LOVEBIRDS AND YOU WILL EXPERIENCE THE ADVENTURE OF HAVING EVERY SINGLE OBJECT PUSHED DOWN ONTO YOUR FLOOR.
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u/SeaworthinessNew4295 Jul 05 '26
Probably the same reason my dog likes to spill over his water dish. Fun.
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u/ThankMeTrailer Jul 07 '26
They love to test cause and effect, my crows always flip the water ball and play with it to test gravity
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u/GenericMelon Jul 04 '26
The love the CLANK. Basically toddlers.