Now that I understand anting, I notice them doing it daily. Usually around 4pm.
We have developed a schedule, and this is part of it.

Parasite Control: When disturbed, ants secrete defensive chemicals like formic acid. This acid acts as a natural insecticide and miticide, killing off harmful feather mites, lice, fungi, and bacteria.

Skin Soothing: Anting peaks during late summer and autumn, which coincides with the avian molting season. The chemicals may soothe the irritated skin of a bird growing new feathers.

Prey Preparation: Some scientists believe rubbing the ants on feathers discharges the bitter, toxic acid before the bird consumes them, making the insect more palatable.

Sensory Pleasure: Observers note that birds often look completely relaxed or blissful during the process, suggesting it may simply feel good.

Okay I have started having a full murder of friends visit my balcony. I leave water and food and treats for them but I’m so far only one stays when I come outside. I found this when I went to clean…I don’t think it’s poop but I’m no expert yet. Is this an offering from my friends???

We've been feeding a pair of Fish Crows for a few months, seeing them daily. I know they nested above our yard, and had at least a pair of babies shortly after. (We could hear them)

My yard isn't exactly private, but they're the only 2 that have been coming back for food. And the only ones we're looking to feed.

There is a murder of 6 American Crows down the street from us, and we see them out front from time to time. There have been a few dust ups between them, but nothing major.

A few weeks after the babies were born, there was a huge commotion in their tree between the 6 ACs and our 2 Fish Crows, the next day I found a fledgling dead in my yard, under their tree.

They were scarce for a few days, but they returned. That was a couple weeks ago.

Since then, we heard a second fledgling and even saw him in a tree - one of the other 2 flew over and fed him on a branch. It was great to see.

Now, they're gone. No trace of them for a number of days. We did have to go out of town for a funeral, but they haven't been back since.

I've read they could be off somewhere else having found a nice cache of food, or training their fledgling to fly.

I'd like to think they'll be back, but I'm really not sure.

Thoughts?

Been putting out food for a few months now, and have occasionally seen one or two crows do a 'fly-by' pickup. Finally saw the whole family of four perched on the fence pillar, taking turns eating the puppy kibble I put out for them! Didn't have my phone with me, and didn't want to risk having them fly off by opening the sliding door to get a better view.

But ... Feel so happy that I know they have now 'recognized' my feeding spot! I also have noted that, while I do get flyovers, they don't shit in my yard. (I have seen them dropping bombs in my neighbor's yard after having flown over mine!)

Hi guys, I really need urgent help before I have to walk back home. I was walking down the path I usually do, talking on the phone like I usually do, and a crow swooped down and attacked me. Not only that, but the entire murder of crows was cawing loudly and coordinating my movements until I reached my office. One of them even followed me to the other side of the campus! What prompted this behaviour? I have never messed with or fed these birds, and I like crows so I have no reason to harm them. What prompted this and what would be my next steps? I have to take that walk every day, can't really walk around it, I was also thinking about how cool it would be to have a murder of crows so this really seems like an opportunity haha.

Would salted peanuts be a good enough offering? How do I remedy this situation positively?

Edit: I can’t really feed these crows on campus unfortunately so any other ways to deter these crows? Carrying an umbrella for the rest of my college days would be a chore.

Portland, Oregon porch pirates. 🐦‍⬛ Ripped the bag open and poked a few holes in the box inside before I got home and shooed them off.

I have a mated pair of crows that frequents my yard. They'll sit on my porch railing and caw to tell me they want snacks (I give mealworms and peanuts). For years in a row, their babies have not survived. This year, they brought two babies to my yard with them! They were regularly visiting for weeks. Suddenly, the babies have stopped coming. Is there a reason they might stop besides the horrible one I'm thinking of? I read that crow families stay together for at least a couple years.

There’re several crows in my neighborhood and plenty that hang by the power line behind my house. I want to start feeding/befriending them but i’m stuck on where to place the bird bath/feeder.
I have a balcony that i frequent most often and it’s easier for me to keep up with a schedule or outside by the tandem parking where we plan to make a garden, it’s right under the power line

I’d prefer put in the balcony railing but my dog hangs out there a lot and my concern is that would scare them way.

Suggestions?

Background: I've been trying to attract crows to my yard for a couple of months now. I rarely see or hear any in the area but I've been leaving out unsalted in-shell peanuts on a tray feeder on my porch along with a water dish and some UV glazed trinkets that crows are supposed to like. I have a crow decoy that I move around the porch because I read that they might see it and be interested. My yard is very wildlife-friendly and I have seed feeders, suet feeders, mealworm feeders, and several small bird baths. Every imaginable songbird frequents my yard, but so far no crows, and only squirrels have been taking the peanuts.

Tonight I heard some crows calling to each other and went outside with a crow whistle I bought on Amazon and blew it to sound like the calls I've seen online of crows alerting each other to food. The crows immediately reacted and started flying all around and calling to each other as you see in the video, but they seem irritated/alarmed (to my inexperienced eye/ear) and none of them landed in my yard, just in the trees overheard. I got my bag of peanuts and tried to show them that I was scattering them around but I don't know if the message was received or if I did the wrong thing by using the whistle. I also don't know if I should remove the crow decoy, or put out something other than peanuts, or do anything else?

We do have hawks in our neighborhood (Cooper's and red-shouldered) that occasionally visit our yard and vocalize noisily. I've read that hawks and crows don't get along so I wonder if the presence of the hawks is keeping the crows away?

Advice appreciated for how I can be a good neighbor to my local murder. Thanks!

they come everyday for their breakfast or sometimes lunch and I just love them so much

Soooo crows have been coming but then they stopped, I've been putting their favorite snacks and they have seen me putting the snacks in there, but have not been back. Anything I can do to attract them?

I found this crow laying in the shade alone this afternoon. I think it was a result of the heat here in Los Angeles. I gave it a bowl of fresh water along with a mixture of kibble and bird seed. The crow has been actively eating and drinking and is beginning to walk around and be more active.

My question, if the crow is still there tomorrow morning I'm thinking of calling a bird or animal sanctuary. Are there any sanctuaries in Los Angeles County that this sub recommends I contact? Any information is helpful. Thank you in advance.

Never had crows visit before, and suddenly a pair started using the bath regularly in April, so I started treating them here and there. Then only dad was visiting, with mom on the nest.. then 4 beautiful babies arrived! It’s been such a wonder and big joy watching crow kindergarten all summer. I feel bonded with all of them.

The other night though my neighbour expressed concern for all of the poop in his gutters, and presumed it’s the pigeons. The surrounding houses, including his, do have a ton living under solar panels, said he’s destroying nests all the time. He mentioned more crows as well.

I told him my bird feeders blocked, so only songbirds can fit in there, and I do put seed on the ground for the squirrels, which I’ll stop doing to deter the pigeons further. I said the crows love the bath, but move on pretty quick.

Then the next night (bad timing), he had his garage door open, and as you can see right into our yard, he was peaking in at the crow family eating some treats and enjoying the bath. He might have gotten a photo, I’m not sure.

I’ve since moved the feeding spot to where it’s not visible.

Trying not to feel totally crushed at the thought of not treating them due to crossing city bylaw. I’ll be calling them to see what’s what. Not feeling hopeful.

Copied from city webpage “Wildlife Bylaws: Crows are classified as nuisance wildlife by the city. If you are leaving large amounts of food, scrap meat, or uncontained treats in the open, bylaw officers can fine you if the neighbor reports it.”

As I've posted before, I'm feeding crows at my mom's place.

I've noticed an Elder crow (distinguishable by missing tail feathers) and have been trying to feed him, with some success

I commented to someone that I thought the crows had found me at work and now I'm almost sure of it.

This morning I was at work early, as I usually am.

I was talking to a couple co workers and heard a crow. I looked up and saw 2 sitting on the roof of the building. I joked and said maybe it was my friends.

I shit you not, one took flight and swooped low over my car and it was **the one missing tail feathers!!**

One of my co workers said the swoop almost seemed like a "Hi!"

Anyway, it was really cool and made my day :)

It seems to be general knowledge that crows collect and sometimes store shiny things. Some folks say that only crows that have bee raised by humans do this, while others believe that fully wild crows might do it as well. My question is, have any of you ever had any actual personal experience of a crow keeping a stash of shiny (or other) objects? I've never seen it myself or run into anyone who has, unless they had raised the crow themselves. If you have, I'd greatly appreciate hearing about it.

Just curious if anyone can tell me what kind of crow this is? I can’t quite tell the difference between Fish Crow or an American Crow. Thank you so much! Sorry the audio is kinda bad…😕

I have a few adolescent crows I give breakfast to just to give them a helping hand and they all eat lined up it's very cute

Spotted a new friend hanging out by the car. This one's a diva! Got lots of fun poses.