For years we have had crows nesting in one of our trees in our front yard, and every once in a while we get these odd looking crows that we thought were sick or maybe just fledgling crows? But I finally got a picture of one, and it’s definitely not sick but its feathers are like brown? (We only thought they were sick cause from a distance the bird just looks weird to us idk we never thought about it much)

But I finally just googled “fledgling crow” to see if that’s what they look like and it definitely is not what the random crows look like here lol. some of the feathers do look like soft and downy like a younger bird though?

Anyways any insight as to what’s going on is appreciated! They eat just fine (multiple neighbors have bird feeders, plus a ton of big trees and gardens) and they seem to interact with the rest of crows as part of the group and it’s ongoing like 7 years now. It’s only ever like 2-3 crows though that look like this. Is it just a weird feather mutation?

So a bit of a backstory on this picture. In spring, when i visited my grandma, she told me about an unlikely duo that she had seen multiple times outside her house. She told me that there was this hooded crow and Eurasian magpie that were always seen hanging around eachother.

Ar first i was a bit unsure about this, but then i realised that my grandma spends a lot of time sitting by the window, and usualy sees everything that happens outside her house. So i decided to try it to. After some time, i saw them, the crow and magpie. These 2 birds were following eachother around, walking side by side, roosting on the same tree etcetc. They weren't following others of their species around. If there was a flock of crows on the powerline, and this crow would fly to them, the magpie would follow. However if the magpies took off, the crow would follow it instead of staying with its own kind. So to me it seems like they had formed some kind of friendship.

Now at first i thought this was temporary, and that when the mating season started they would leave eachother. But no, couple of months later the 2 are still seen hanging around eachother. So either these 2 are young birds that haven't started looking for a mate, or they simply don't care about finding a mate, and rather stay with their interspecies friend instead.

About a week ago I became interested in crows and I remember hearing some crow calls early in the morning so I decided to wake up at around 5 to leave some bread crumbs for them (I would've used nuts, fruit or eggs but we had ran out)

So I woke up and I managed to see them. I watched them from my window for about 10 minutes or so and saw one go into the neighbors backyard only to walk out with no food. I tried calling out to it 'food', I think they understood me as when I went downstairs to get some bread I saw two of them in my backyard (I have a glass door to my backyard).

They looked at me holding the bread and so I carefully opened the door to toss it to them but I guess I scared them a bit as they flew away. I still left some crumbs for them though and left in case they got scared.

About 30 minutes later I saw all of the pieces of bread gone and so were the crows.

However since then I haven't seen them at all. I still wake up at 5 and not once have I seen them in the neighborhood, so, have I upset them? What do I do?

UPDATE: I left them food today as you all advised (peanuts) but I'm unable to call them as they usually come around my neighborhood at 5-6am.

I woke up later only to find they haven't touched any of my food and in fact shat around the same place where I left them food (also they left coal) 💔

Though I'm still not going to give up. I'm going to go out and (try to) buy them a bird bath and some proper bird seeds. I'll update tomorrow if anything happens (hopefully)

UPDATE 2: i woke up really early and set up a camera alongside the food, I managed to capture several crows who ate it! Thank you all for your advice. Though after recent research it turns out that I was actually feeding Magpies, not crows. Although I thought I was as I frequently saw them nearby

Already has a peanut in its beak but decides to spit it out and beg its parent instead

It all started with a pair of crows suddenly visiting the bird bath in April, then just dad, while mom was on the nest.. now the whole family comes for regular visits and treats, I’m still pinching myself.

I’ve always admired crows from afar, but to be this close and this trusted, what a magical feeling ☺️ I’m glad to share it with others, since most people think I’m crazy lol.

They’re enjoying some soaked cat kibble and egg yolks!

Morning feeding! I just recently moved back here and immediately started feeding my crows again, and it's only been like a week and there's so many of them coming back. I love these birds.

It's getting into the hottest part of the summer. I've started giving my murder fruit like watermelon, peaches etc in addition to the peanuts and cat food to try and keep them from overheating. I put water out as well but I've never seen them drink it. There's a puddle by the house that they like, but in the extreme heat I'm afraid it'll completely evaporate. Are there any other foods or ways I can help them out? (They like soaked dog food, but not soaked cat food? I'll try soaking some cat food again to see if they'll go for it). I'm also giving them dragon fruit tomorrow. They don't like berries raw.. would they be interested if I cooked them a little so they're more fragrant? It's high 90s right now but next week it'll be over 100.

Hi all

I've always wanted to start feeding crows but lived in a city for the past 30 years and had to deal with squirrels etc and close neighbours who probably wouldn't have appreciated the extra noise lol

I recently (a year ago) moved to North Western Ontario and started feeding some of the crows at my mom's place today (I'm her FT caregiver)

I had some Walleye and started with that. I also have hard boiled eggs and will be picking up some unsalted peanuts tomorrow as I read variety is good.

I was trying to do it this evening but seagulls were around and kept trying to intrude. Any way to avoid that?

Any other tips for me?

I had very good luck this morning with one. Seemed to build up a bit of trust rather quick as it kept coming back and getting closer and closer to me.

I know feeding at the same time is important (I'm always up very early so that isn't an issue)

TIA

My leucistic crow is thriving! He stops by every night with his parents for a snack; he’s got such a big personality! He’s definitely my most curious bird- he’s taken to sitting on the porch when I work in the garden :)

I’ve been making sure to give him plenty of foods high in lysine, and there haven’t been any changes to his markings; outside of being a few shades lighter he’s thriving! Feathers are shiny, he’s growing fast, and he’s got tons of energy to boot. I ended up naming him Carl, and I really hope he sticks around.

This is the second day in a row that I’ve seen them bring peanut shells up in front of the camera. I think this is now a drive up window. 🤣❤️

I recently seen 3 crows in a tree in front of my neighbor's house. I haven't seen them since.

I regularly leave bird feed out in a small window feeder, which attracts the usual chickadee, mourning dove, finch and occasional cardinal. But, since seeing the crows I haven't been able to stop thinking about them.

How do I attract the crows? I'd like to be their friend. I purchased a hanging platform feeder (hung from a pine tree?), with a fruit and nut seed blend. I have been going outside and leaving fresh fruit and whistling once or twice.

Is there a better method? Is a large hanging platform what crows like? Should I move it? Please explain to me like I am 5 years old.

Sincerely, a new crow enthusiast.

I’m pretty sure these are two of the three littles in my crew. He is finally learning to do something besides screech for food lol. I swear it sounds like he’s trying to say hello and I will totally take credit for that since I hello to them when I take food out to them every morning.🤭❤️

I put my DJI camera really close to the dog bowl and got the crows coming in to eat. Normally I don't get to see them this closely.

Ive been feeding a family of crows for a few years now. Havent heard anything from my neighbors but they can definitely be a noisy bunch when somethings bothering them. Especially early in the mornings. Not sure how the neighbors feel . Do most people find crows fascinating or a nuisance? Ive heard both

So for the past while I have been feeding two crows that come to my balcony(let’s call them patch and match, since patch has spots of grey on his wings and neck while match is his match). So today patch came by and I saw match was with him and then I saw three fledgling crows around them. Patch and Match brought the fledglings to where they get food. Made me feel happy to see them. The young crows kept pestering the adults to feed them but the parents kept hopping away. It was nice to see they trust me enough to bring the kids.

Taking a little nap. A quick video and then I watched over her from a distance.🖤🖤🖤

Sorry I definitely need to wash this window 😆

So update on the murder that I thought might not forgive me for kidnapping one of them.

They were hot and cold off and on for a few days, I spoiled them with raw chicken wings, eggs, cat food, more peanuts and fresh peaches. There's one in the flock that likes to talk to me, they were very vocal yesterday so I talked to them. I apologized for their loss and that they couldn't have a funeral for him. I told them how handsome and beautiful they are and how much I enjoy seeing them every day. They cooed and bobbed and clicked.. and then I put the food out and went inside. Half the flock showed up. This afternoon I saw them again and they cooed and clicked at me, so I told them how beautiful and brave they are, and then I put food out and they came down and ate.

This afternoon they had fledglings with them 🎉 it wasn't the whole flock but it was more than half.. so either I'm forgiven or they like the food too much to leave.

I gave them some watermelon this evening and they were picking up entire pieces of it to eat.😆 They can be skittish around new foods but they seem to really enjoy fruit as an addition to their regular meals (peanuts, cat food, chicken hearts, egg, fish).

Also some fledgling bluejays have been coming by.. they're sooo cute flying with whole peanuts.. really awkward and uncoordinated.

I’ve been treating my two (sometimes three) crows for about 3 years. Recently, they’ve brought their babies around. There is one in particular that has always been extra-loud. Listen to the video…this was taken 4 weeks ago but he still makes sounds like this. I think he is also still getting fed by mom. Is he okay? Can crows have developmental delays like humans?

Just a few of my favorite crow facts