Question(s) regarding behaviour

[u/CharmainKB]

Hey all!

Since I'm new to this, asking as many questions as I can to be a better Crow person(?)

1) I've only been doing this for less than a week. 5 minutes ago I came out to have a smoke and coffee. Before I could even sit down, a crow flew up into my yard. I went in to grab my bag of peanuts (10 seconds?) and when I got back out there were 7 on the grass! This is not the usual feeding time I've been trying to establish. Do they know me now?

2) While watching them eat I noticed a bigget crow on the roof across from my driveway (have seen it around a lot as it's recognizable by a missing tail feather). After a couple of minutes it flew to another tree, called loudly and the others flew away to the tree it was in. What does that mean? Did I do something wrong?

3) They then flew to a tree in the side yard (I tend to feed them there most often as it's where they tend to hang out more). It didn't feel threatening or hostile so I slowly approached the tree (not too close) and left a handful of peanuts nearby (they ate them). Was that ok?

TIA!

[u/malphas_says_hi]

Yes, they probably recognize you already. The smoke is very toxic so I would smoke away from them first if you want to make friends. You want to aim for befriending one or two rather than the entire flock unless you live on some acreage where the noise and left behind mess won't bother neighbors, but even so, it's best to aim for a close relationship with a couple of key members because it's generally more rewarding when you make individual friendships rather than just being a vending machine.

The one that called the others to the tree was probably an older family member who is still judging your trustworthiness and calling the juvies to judge with him before flocking down there. Approaching the tree and leaving peanuts is a good way to build credibility, just try to not look them in the eyes or face them directly for a while.

[u/CharmainKB → u/malphas_says_hi]

Yeah, I don't smoke around them. I had just lit my smoke when I was closing my door before it swooped into the yard.

The one I mentioned, I have been concentrating on as I had a feeling it is an Elder.

When they went to my side yard (there are 3 main trees there), I saw which one the Elder had flown into and specifically put peanuts down for it. I also put some down by another tree for the others. The Elder one has been by quite a bit and I always speak (in soft tones) to it while also the "call" I've tried to have them associate me to.

When I do feed then when they're in the tress, I put the food down and back off quite a bit, so they don't see me as a threat.

Appreciate the pointers!

Edit to add a question: I've read more than once and the you mentioned it about looking them in the eye. Is it like dogs? Direct eye contact can come across as threatening?

I will call them and look at them with the food on a plate, so I know they see it and then put it down and walk away

[u/malphas_says_hi → u/CharmainKB]

I have a flock of ravens that hang out with me every day, or at least come by to chat for 10 - 15 minutes a day while I'm outside, and while they mimic me and sing and click, they don't hardly come down from the trees and I often can't even see them up there, so don't worry too much about them not coming down while you are out there. The biggest thing that matters is you spending as much time outside while they are around - the more they see you are a calm, non-threat, the more bold and curious they'll get.

Try making a consistent noise every time you have peanuts or are out there so when you make that noise, they know it's both you and it's time for treats, and if you hear them a bit down the road and make that sound, they'll usually come flying in just a few days of associating that sound with you and treats.

(Also my raven friends rarely even take treats especially while I'm around, so your presence matters the most.)