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Original poster

Any corvid experts around?? I have a self induced crow problem and I’m a bit scared!

83 replies

CrowTroubles · 10/08/2026 07:59

I know mumsnet tend to enjoy a crow story but if anyone knows anything about corvids I could really do with some advice!

About a year ago I started feeding a local crow family - nothing too formal, I’d just walk across to the park where they hang out, throw some food down, watch them eat and then we’d all move on with our day.

Over time they started meeting me on the park, if they weren’t there when I arrived they soon would be once I arrived. Two crows in particular became very reliable in showing up and one started coming very close to me. All very friendly.

In spring this pair had a baby and very cutely they brought this baby to meet me on the park. I know crows are notoriously protective of their young so I didn’t pay it too much attention, just carried on feeding the adults as normal.

trouble is this baby crow never seemed to have the usual wariness that the adults had, it would land right next to me, run up to me across the floor, land on fences right next to me - it didn’t give a shit.

3 months on this baby crow is now a juvenile and seems to have become a bit obsessed with me.

Now - today!! Omg … I walked out of my house and 5 crows were sat on my roof waiting for me - as I walked down the drive 3 of them performed fly bys over my head (one has done this before in a playful way but never 3 of them and never at my actual house!!!) as I walked to the field they followed closely performing multiple fly bys, landing on lamp posts, fences, signs etc … all around me. I got to the field and fed them there as usual but juvenile crow wouldn’t leave me alone … normally they just stay at the feeding spot but today he carried on following me and then … he mobbed me!! He flew up behind me and started flapping around my head, wouldn’t go away - I don’t know if he was contemplating landing ON me or actually being aggressive?! I left the park sharpish but he carried on flying towards me and I had to keep turning to face him to put him off.

what have I done?? Why does he hate me all of a sudden?? He’s now sat on my back fence just staring at the house 😬 are they just really hungry because of the relentless weather or have I made an enemy of this bird somehow?

OP posts:
Original poster
CrowTroubles · 10/08/2026 09:15

The thought of walking through the park with a helmet on and a face painted on it is absolutely hilarious! Can you imagine what I’d look like 😂😂

OP posts:
SevenYellowHammers · 10/08/2026 09:14

They don’t hate you, they think you’re their mum. Therein lies the problem.

Crows pick up dead animals to eat, that’s their job. You don’t need to feed them. The teenager crow needs to do that, not be fed by you.

Putting water out in shallow bowls is a really kind thing to do in this dry season - and if it ever gets icy again. So if you want to help, do that.

I’m not sure how long it’ll take to stop the habit they have formed but stop feeding them immediately and stop going to where they live.

It’s an easy mistake to make, I fed some swans through a cold winter once and they started following me about, I’m not normally scared of anything but they are huge out of water and it was disconcerting. Thankfully they migrated in spring and forgot about me!

Original poster
CrowTroubles · 10/08/2026 09:13

Carolynpig · 10/08/2026 09:04

My husband is interested in corvids, he says you could contact a Nicholas Crawford on Facebook , he’s an expert and shares lots of videos

I follow him, I’ve just messaged him but not sure I’ll get a response, he must get thousands of messages

OP posts:
youngwhippersnapper · 10/08/2026 09:07

CrowMate · 10/08/2026 08:09

Despite my name, I am not a crow expert - but, I do like birds. I don’t think they hate you, it sounds like excitement/ food related behaviour rather than aggression?

It does seem to be overly comfortable with you, which isn’t good for the wild bird. So you may want to consider not feeding them for a while?

If it is crossing into aggression and it’s making contact, you may need to avoid the park for a while.

No use just avoiding the park as they know where she lives.
OP, I think you should put your house up for sale and move far away ( a long distance, not just “ as the crow flies “).

Slightyamusedandsilly · 10/08/2026 09:04

ThatLilacTiger · 10/08/2026 09:03

As someone who's been attacked by a crow (I was trying to help its injured young), you'd know if it was being aggressive. I needed a tetanus shot.

You're going to have to lean into the whole surrounded by crows thing. Maybe get some sort of sceptre and see if you can direct them at your enemies.

I like this! I might need to connect with the crows. How far will they go to venge me do we think?

Carolynpig · 10/08/2026 09:04

My husband is interested in corvids, he says you could contact a Nicholas Crawford on Facebook , he’s an expert and shares lots of videos

ThatLilacTiger · 10/08/2026 09:03

As someone who's been attacked by a crow (I was trying to help its injured young), you'd know if it was being aggressive. I needed a tetanus shot.

You're going to have to lean into the whole surrounded by crows thing. Maybe get some sort of sceptre and see if you can direct them at your enemies.

Atschjvkbgj · 10/08/2026 09:01

AnnesPuffedSleeves · 10/08/2026 09:00

OK, I’m scared for you myself now OP! They hold grudges….wtf?!

They’re very clever

AnnesPuffedSleeves · 10/08/2026 09:00

OK, I’m scared for you myself now OP! They hold grudges….wtf?!

Any corvid experts around?? I have a self induced crow problem and I’m a bit scared!
Derpytiger · 10/08/2026 09:00

CrowTroubles · 10/08/2026 08:29

the ground is so hard from the dry and hot weather it’s all cracked etc … past few weeks they have seemed hungrier than normal ?

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You asked if there are any corvid experts to advise you. I am a wildlife expert and I've given you the information you need. They will be fine, there's plenty of food available. Feeding wild birds is being discouraged just now because of avian flu risks, it's a very serious disease.

Atschjvkbgj · 10/08/2026 09:00

CrowTroubles · 10/08/2026 08:52

One came with something shiny in its mouth this morning, sat on the back fence and dropped it into the garden but I have no idea what it was, I daren’t go outside 😂

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They bring presents. Sorry op but you’re part of the family now !!

Diamondsareforever72 · 10/08/2026 08:59

I am trying to tame a crow at the moment.

IntergalacticHamster · 10/08/2026 08:59

CrowTroubles · 10/08/2026 08:52

One came with something shiny in its mouth this morning, sat on the back fence and dropped it into the garden but I have no idea what it was, I daren’t go outside 😂

Show quote history

It's brought you a gift, it's what they do.

AnnesPuffedSleeves · 10/08/2026 08:57

Sorry OP, on the one hand this sounds really scary, but on the other, it also sounds quite comical (sorry!).

Stop feeding them!! You have totally brought this on yourself and you have to break the cycle. Maybe invest in an umbrella for them you go out 🙈

Ethelspagetti · 10/08/2026 08:54

I think it’s playing with you and gets excited as you feed them. I honestly don’t think it thinks badly of you!

Original poster
CrowTroubles · 10/08/2026 08:52

Atschjvkbgj · 10/08/2026 08:51

They just want food, have they not started bringing you presents ?

One came with something shiny in its mouth this morning, sat on the back fence and dropped it into the garden but I have no idea what it was, I daren’t go outside 😂

OP posts:
Unblushingly · 10/08/2026 08:52

CrowTroubles · 10/08/2026 08:29

the ground is so hard from the dry and hot weather it’s all cracked etc … past few weeks they have seemed hungrier than normal ?

Show quote history

Yes, but they’re omnivores — the seeds and berries are edible earlier than usual, and there’s still carrion, roadkill, ample human waste.

Atschjvkbgj · 10/08/2026 08:51

They just want food, have they not started bringing you presents ?

HoraceCope · 10/08/2026 08:50

can you go there with a dish of water instead?
carry an umbrella

AMurderofMurderingCrows · 10/08/2026 08:49

Sorry about that. We'll have a word with the child...

Ohwhatfuckeryitistoride · 10/08/2026 08:43

Congratulations you have a familiar.
I know in Australia when the maggies are mobbing, some people find wearing a cycle helmet or hard hat with a face drawn on the top discourages them. Of course you are going to look like an absolute nana walking around the park.
For corvids I dont think lack of food will be an issue if other wildlife are struggling. Sorry.

Original poster
CrowTroubles · 10/08/2026 08:35

CallUpMyMamaSaidImInLoveWithTheStripperYo · 10/08/2026 08:12

Oh fuck that.

I know they are remarkable and clever but I don’t really understand crow love. I think they are creepy as fuck 🫪

Same with seagulls. Don’t really understand the love for them on social media either. They are twats.

Edited

😂😂😂

I agree with you about the seagulls - funnily enough there were seagulls there this morning too - maybe why the crows were more animated than normal

OP posts:
Original poster
CrowTroubles · 10/08/2026 08:32

NoMoreBedTime · 10/08/2026 08:15

You're living my dream! Send them to me!
He sounds excited, he wants food. Load your pockets up 🤣

Up until today I’ve loved feeding them but if he’s going to start being arsey I might have to rethink 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
CrowTroubles · 10/08/2026 08:31

BirdsongSunshine · 10/08/2026 08:29

Aww, you can’t stop feeding them now. 🖤

You’re the chosen one, once you’ve scattered a few peanuts around, they’ll leave you alone. Put some water down too, they can have a spa day in your garden!

I’ve put water in the garden, the sparrows are loving it! I had about 10 of them in it yesterday taking it in turns to bath 😂 there’s currently 3 starlings in it ❤️

OP posts:
Original poster
CrowTroubles · 10/08/2026 08:29

Derpytiger · 10/08/2026 08:12

The simple answer is to stop feeding them. They have started to expect food when they see you and you are reinforcing their expectations of food each time you feed them. At the moment it's not a great idea to feed wild birds due to the avian flu outbreak, it brings birds together into one area and increases the likelihood of disease spread through contact and excretions. I would suggest you stop completely, they will move on. It's summer so there's plenty of food available and unlikely to cause an issue in terms of their welfare.

(Wildlife expert here)

the ground is so hard from the dry and hot weather it’s all cracked etc … past few weeks they have seemed hungrier than normal ?

OP posts: