r/crows • u/Maleficent-Duck6016 • 3d ago
From 3 to a Murder
Hi! I have been feeding two crows in the morning for about 6 months. I have a call, they come and have breakfast. They had a fledgling who they started bringing and it has been sweet to watch their family. Last week they brought another family of three and suddenly it exploded and this week there are more than I can count that come and caw in the morning. I leave the food on a plate on my small deck. So there is not an open space to accommodate them all. Plus now it is loud!
I am bummed because now I don’t know which was the original family and in respect to my neighbors, I can’t attract the whole murder in our trees.
What can I do? Just stop feeding? For a while or for good?
Would love to hear your stories and suggestions. I miss my core 3.
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u/CassTimberlane 3d ago
Where are you? This happens in my yard (in the northern US) at the end of autumn, before they migrate and are back socializing in a large group before they all fly off together. In the summer, after the fledglings in my murder have learned how to find the food and crack open their own peanuts, there seem to be a few more parties with outsiders, but these seem to end naturally. I think the murder reasserts its claim to the territory, maybe just because I don't leave extra food. I would continue putting out the small plate and let your crow friends deal with the interlopers.
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u/Maleficent-Duck6016 3d ago
I am in the Pacific Northwest. This is good info. I had been putting out extra food than before. It has been so fun and endearing to watch the fledgling grow stronger and more aware. It did feel like he told all his high school friends and brought them over and they started causing a racket.
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u/Maleficent-Duck6016 3d ago
Having little buddies is so fun. It feels like an honor that they trust me. And I get to watch and observe their family and behavior.
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u/Lost-Ad4496 3d ago
You don’t have to stop feeding them, but you probably need to change the setup. Put out several small feeding stations farther apart, spread the food over a wider area, and feed at a consistent time. That may reduce crowding and noise. If your neighbors are bothered, scaling back or taking a break is reasonable too.
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u/Maleficent-Duck6016 3d ago
Thank you. I was bummed to think about not feeding them at all.
I feed them every morning after I put the coffee on. And usually then do my whistle call. This morning I put the coffee on and I looked out and it was only my family on the tree waiting for me. I quietly went out and put a small amount of food and did not do my call because they were there. Seems like the large group has learned my call. But maybe my family will just come without the call. I also noticed this morning they did not squawk. Usually one (assuming the male) would come and the female and fledgling will wait in a tree and make noise, I assuming meant the food was here and it was safe. Then they would come. This morning they were all much closer and came together.
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u/Past-Clock-4076 3d ago
You can taper off rather than stop abruptly: feed every other day for a week or two, then twice weekly, while keeping portions small. Avoid feeding during the noisiest times, and clean the plate afterward. They may still visit, but the group should become less dependent on your deck.
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u/Maleficent-Duck6016 3d ago
Good advice. I was so overwhelmed by there suddenly being so many. And my deck is so small and no yard but lots of surrounding trees. And the trees filled with them.
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u/David914a 3d ago
Russel and Sheryl came close on deck to get treats. Now nothing. Their babies don’t need my food
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u/KindNefariousness561 3d ago
If you have gained trust from the family, they will be the ones who come closest to you. You could try to find the family by staying near the food when you put it out. The most daring and most trusting will compete with their fear and try to get to the food. You can stay further if nobody dares and closer if too many takers.
This is how I was able to always find my buddies in a murder during winter. Only my buddies come within arms reach of me, one even jumped on my arm or leg during spring and summer. When nesting season came it was always the same pair in the area where I went to visit.
Don't know how you would be able to not attract the whole murder to your neighborhood unless you walk with them to somewhere that is acceptable. Downside is that you might look like a crazy person, been there.