American Crows becoming a bit TOO bold (1 Viewer)

[BornToQuack]

Hi all,

So this is kind of a long story, but a little over a year ago, I started befriending a pair of American Crows. At first, they were a bit skittish, but gladly swooped down for peanuts, cracked corn, sunflower seeds, or other goodies I'd toss out for them. It got to the point that they started visiting regularly, and they even brought one of their fledglings over for a visit last spring!

I love having them around, but now they're getting a bit too bold. Our family has three pet Indian Runner Ducks we let roam freely around our backyard, and the crows are now pigging out on duck food - right out of the food bowl with the ducks watching.

At first it was kind of funny watching the crows strutt over to the food and gather so many pellets that they couldn't even close their beaks; but now they're constantly gorging themselves, hiding what they can't immediately eat, and then coming back for more!

Any advice on how to set some boundaries?

 

[BornToQuack]

Here's a picture of the biggest culprit - Sunny. He/she is by far the most trusting, and will steal food within a foot of me if my back is turned. This picture was taken just as I started soaking some duck food to make it easier for the ducks to eat.

Sunny seemed to think the food was set out specifically for him/her and his/her mate Starla (I assumed their genders, when I first named them, but am not 100% who is male vs female).

 

[TFM70]

Hi all,

So this is kind of a long story, but a little over a year ago, I started befriending a pair of American Crows. At first, they were a bit skittish, but gladly swooped down for peanuts, cracked corn, sunflower seeds, or other goodies I'd toss out for them. It got to the point that they started visiting regularly, and they even brought one of their fledglings over for a visit last spring!

I love having them around, but now they're getting a bit too bold. Our family has three pet Indian Runner Ducks we let roam freely around our backyard, and the crows are now pigging out on duck food - right out of the food bowl with the ducks watching.

At first it was kind of funny watching the crows strutt over to the food and gather so many pellets that they couldn't even close their beaks; but now they're constantly gorging themselves, hiding what they can't immediately eat, and then coming back for more!

Any advice on how to set some boundaries?

I have read of individuals targeting crows for mistreatment and the crows remember this individual and actually pass the fear of that individual on to their offspring. SO, quit treating them nice, not necessarily mistreating them, just don’t be nice to them.

 

[etudiant]

Hi all,



At first it was kind of funny watching the crows strutt over to the food....

Any advice on how to set some boundaries?

Just guessing, as am no expert in any way, but maybe if you put the duck feeder into a confined space, the crows would be more cautious.
It could be something simple like a cardboard box on its side.
Ducks will forage pretty freely, walking along, but crows are more skittish about enclosed spaces. You could even rig up a trap door to give them a real scare.

 

[Willfish4fud]

The crows on our farm are much the same. Have the run of the place

 

[Ruff]

Crows have been persecuted for a long long time. It's not too hard to scare the current generation off. But it will probably be an all or nothing situation, either crows or no crows.