Info on Crows? (1 Viewer)

[teddywes2k]

Hello all! I just regestered and I'm very new to this.

I'd like some information on keeping crows in captive. When I say 'captive', I do not mean cooped up in a cage, more free to fly around in a house, and when older, fly outside. I've heard that if you rear crows from chick it will be loyal to you in older life.

So, if this is true, I'd really love to have a crow. Now comes one big problem.......where do you get a baby crow from? I don't really want to be crawling around up trees, stealing from crows. Does anyone know of anywhere I can acquire one? Perhaps a bird sanctuary?

Also, does anyone have any info on how to hand-rear the bird (what to feed, how often feeding needs to be etc)?

I would be most greatful for this information. I'd love to look after a crow, but I'll only do it if I have the correct information and go about it in as nice a way as possible.

Thanks very much,

teddywes2k o

 

[Jane Turner]

You should that this is a forum dedicated to the enjoyment of wild birds.

I seriously doubt it is legal to keep crows captive

 

[Beverlybaynes]

Welcome, Teddy.

Let me second Jane's reply: this is a forum dedicated to WILD birds.

If you turn your interes to free-flying birds, this is the place to be. Otherwise, mine is probably the last reply you'll get.

 

[Nightranger]

Just to confirm what other replies have already mentioned:

It is an offence under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 to confine a wild bird unless it cannot be released back to the wild for welfare reasons. The only exceptions to this are captive-bred birds but as no one breeds crows in captivity in the UK, any sources would be extremely suspect.

 

[teddywes2k]

I have read on another thread on this web site that keeping crow is not illegal.

I am not interested in taking birds from the wild and just possesing them!

That is why I'd like know if you can care for one from a bird sanctuary. If I can help a bird that cannot live in the wild, then I would be overjoyed! To care for a bird would be fantastic and if that bird was a crow (for me personnally) it would be evn better because I adore crows, love birds all birds in general and do not want to harm them in anyway. I only have good intentions.

I am a very spiritual person. Please do not post me back negative remarks. If it was harmful to bird I would not persue my dream,

and my dream does not involve keeping a bird caged up like I own it. Yes, I can see the negative side to things, but I only intend goodness.

I would thank you greatly for useful information, without sarcasm and nastyness.

 

[weather]

I have read on another thread on this web site that keeping crow is not illegal.

I am not interested in taking birds from the wild and just possesing them!

That is why I'd like know if you can care for one from a bird sanctuary. If I can help a bird that cannot live in the wild, then I would be overjoyed! To care for a bird would be fantastic and if that bird was a crow (for me personnally) it would be evn better because I adore crows, love birds all birds in general and do not want to harm them in anyway. I only have good intentions.

I am a very spiritual person. Please do not post me back negative remarks. If it was harmful to bird I would not persue my dream,

and my dream does not involve keeping a bird caged up like I own it. Yes, I can see the negative side to things, but I only intend goodness.

I would thank you greatly for useful information, without sarcasm and nastyness.

Not trying to be nasty, but I just don't think you going to get the help you're looking for here. Everyone here is dedicated to wild birds...Maybe you should try another site on pet birds...

Mike

 

[shaunchandler]

Hi Teddy,

I'm afraid I can't help with any information but I would just like to commend you for trying to aquire the correct info before taking further steps into what could be a very exciting and rewarding venture.

As some members have been very quick to inform you, yes this is a forum dedicated to wild birds. What they have forgotten, is that knowledge is not restricted to a single forum.
There are many forums on this website for other interests and many members have posted questions in the "wrong" forum. You are not the first and will not be the last.

Good Luck!

 

[Nightranger]

I have read on another thread on this web site that keeping crow is not illegal.

I am not interested in taking birds from the wild and just possesing them!

That is why I'd like know if you can care for one from a bird sanctuary. If I can help a bird that cannot live in the wild, then I would be overjoyed! To care for a bird would be fantastic and if that bird was a crow (for me personnally) it would be evn better because I adore crows, love birds all birds in general and do not want to harm them in anyway. I only have good intentions.

I am a very spiritual person. Please do not post me back negative remarks. If it was harmful to bird I would not persue my dream,

and my dream does not involve keeping a bird caged up like I own it. Yes, I can see the negative side to things, but I only intend goodness.

I would thank you greatly for useful information, without sarcasm and nastyness.

Yeah, no problem with your wishes but it is just worth bearing in mind that welfare is not as simple as it first seems. It is good to know that some people care for the 'underdogs' in life and I am still amazed (in the 21st Century) that people equate black birds with evil. This is no joke, a significant number of callers to the RSPB hate magpies and crows because they traditionally represent evil. Point out that woodpeckers do exactly what magpies and crows do (not to mention jays) and they cannot make the comparison. I once asked a lady what she thought of orcas after a tirade against magpies and she labelled them as "black and white pirates". I do not think anyone here wishes to be negative towards your aims but legality is complex and none of us would wish to see you launch into something that could get you in trouble. believe me, there enough people out there looking for an excuse and that is a double-edged sword in some ways.

 

[Beverlybaynes]

Teddy, perhaps a compromise here would be to find a bird sanctuary in need of volunteers. That could accomplish two things: assisting an organization that would probably be in need of assistance, and allowing you to spend more time with birds, helping them.

It's very unglamourous work, more often than not, but needed. I work/volunteer with a raptor rehabilitation organization here in the US, and some of the most needed help is the ugliest -- cleaning cages and flight pens, making 'rat runs' for food, bagging the food for storage, transporting birds to and from the vet, etc. But all of it contributes to the welfare and quality of life we can offer the birds in our care, all done with an eye to releasing the birds back to the wild whenever possible.

One caveat: only very well-trained 'medical' volunteers (and we're a totally volunteer organization with NO paid staff) actually handle the birds, and the work is overseen by a state- and federally-licensed rehabilitator. Being handled by humans is extremely stressful for wild birds, even healthy ones, so it is completely avoided unless necessary for care.

You are to be commended for wanting to care for the birds, and I apologize to you if my earlier reply seemed curt.

 

[teddywes2k]

Thanks very much for your helpful and nice replies

I found a web page on captive crows and ravens yesterday, saying that one of the best ways to gain knowledge about birds. This seems like a brilliant idea, so I will look for nearby bird sanctuaries to see how I can become involved. I also emailed the writer on the web page asking for any information or help them could give me.

I see that that is the subtitle of the website is:....dedicated to wild birds. But I also see a small box of text that says "wild birds" and "birding". I do not want to take wild birds from the wild. I know that restricting freedom (from any creature) is one of the worst things that happen in this world.

I love helping birds too. One day tow weeks ago, I saw a cat on my street with a bird in it's mouth, so I carefully chased after it to see if the bird was alive. It was. I had to help the bird the best I could, I know that nature is nature and I should let it be, but I could not stand by and let the bird die a terrifying death in the deadly playful paws of the cat. The bird did die a few mins after I got it from the cat, but even though I know it was the bird's time to die, I felt a sense of joy it was in my hands and not the claws of the cat. I know the bird was probably as equally stress with me as it was with the cat, but I send him vibes of love and care to ease it on it's way.

As for you comment Ian Peters "people equate black birds with evil", myself and my pschology teacher were having a dicussion today about the use of the terms 'black person' and 'coloured person' and how the word black is (or once was) used as a description of something dark and evil. I feel as though time have changed in regards to 'black' being used in this context. It is sad that people still do see it that way, and also make a connection to birds also. I see how they connect the birds behaviour with badness and the crow/raven's symbolism of death, but just because that is what colour it's feathers are seems very trivial and almost racist. I hope attitudes will change in the future.

I thank you all for your consern and info on whether things are legal or not is greatly appreciated. For all those who have looked at this thread and thought anything along the lines of "How dare they??? That is a disgusting thing to want!" I will say to you :
please calm down, negative replies will only make a person feel bad for what they have felt. I believe no one should feel bad for what they feel, but it is better to make a person see the right way to do things, to help them, thus changing the way they feel, but in a positive way. I do understand people's negative feelings and remarks to questions I have asked etc, but I am asking for help.

Thank you so much for all your friendly help

Best wishes to every one