Crows aren’t always pests as many people believe. In fact, these super smart birds can actually help to rid your property of many common backyard and garden pests themselves. So here’s your step-by-step guide on how to attract crows to your yard!
Step 1. Create A Crow-Friendly Space
Before you attempt to attract crows to your yard you’ll want to make sure that your yard is actually a place that will feel safe for crows to land and feed. To do so you’ll need to remove anything that could potentially scare off crows or prevent them from landing in the first place.
For example, if you have any items in your yard that are used to scare away other types of birds or pests such as owl decoys, inflatable snakes, reflective rods, etc. you should put them away. Crows are also scared by loud random noises such as wind chimes, bells, and loose gates that may clang in the wind. So these along with other sources of noise that could startle them should be eliminated as well.
Step 2. Create Spaces For Roosting
These sociable birds like to rest on horizontal perches. So you will want to make sure that you have places they can sit and relax when they visit your yard. Tree branches and fences are often used by crows for this purpose, as are concrete birdbaths.
To create additional roosting or if you don’t have any options available, you can use poles set horizontally and attached to trees, sheds, decks, etc. Or you can install poles vertically in the ground and place a crossbar between them. Keep in mind that crows are large birds so roosting poles should be sturdy.
Step 3. Attract The Crows With Food
Once your outdoor space is ideally set up for them to visit you can attract crows to your home initially by scattering food for them to eat. This should be done in an open space and ideally with a recognizable food that’s easy for the crows to spot such as shelled peanuts.
Be patient. This may take several days or longer. And it isn’t uncommon for squirrels, and birds such as jays to collect all of the peanuts before any crows arrive therefore requiring multiple applications. As intelligent and wary birds crows will typically take longer than other species to land and feed since they will want to observe the area from afar and make sure it is safe first.
Step 4. Create A Feeding Routine
When you have successfully attracted crows to your yard you can start feeding them routinely. The birds will look to your home as a place where they know they can receive food and will keep coming back.
This can be a big help for them particularly in the winter months when food is scarce. Crows are omnivores and will eat almost anything. Dry cat and dog food, nuts, meat scraps, seeds, fruits, and grains are all popular choices for feeding crows and help to supplement their natural diet.
Extra Tips
– In addition to food you can use crow calls to help attract crows to your yard the first time. There are both hand callers and electronic options. Crow decoys can also be placed around your yard to help bring crows in. However, be sure that they are placed upright to look like living birds as decoys placed on their side or upside down mimic the look of dead crows and are actually used to repel them.
-Be sure to provide water for the crows as in addition to drinking they will also use it for preening and to soak hard food items such as kibble pet food to soften it before eating.
-When providing food for crows do not include salty foods. Salt is potentially toxic for birds. So avoid things such as chips, salty meats, salted nuts, and other foods which are high in salt.
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