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

[CrowTroubles]

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?

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.

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)

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.

Yes, just stop feeding them. They now expect it, and are mobbing you in the hope that you produce the goods.

I don’t get why you would feed crows anyway, tbh.

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

Is anyone else getting hitchcock Vibes?

Yes, me! 😂

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!

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 ?

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 ❤️

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

😂😂😂

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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 😂

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

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 🙈

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

I am trying to tame a crow at the moment.

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

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.

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