American crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos (also called the common crow or eastern crow).

Crows

Crows, ravens, and magpies are well-known predators of eggs and nestlings in other birds’ nests. In certain situations, these species kill newborn lambs or other livestock by pecking their eyes (Larsen and Dietrich 1970). Magpies sometimes peck scabs on freshly branded cattle.

Crows occasionally damage agricultural crops such as sprouting and ripening corn, apples, and pecans. Most of this loss is localized and minor. Crow damage to apples can be distinguished from damage by smaller birds by the deep (up to 2 inches [5 cm]), triangular peck holes (Tobin et al. 1989). trees in parks and cemeteries sometimes cause nuisance problems because of noise and feces.

Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Exclusion

Netting to exclude crows from high-value crops or small areas. Protect ripening corn in gardens by covering each ear with a paper cup or sack after the silk has turned brown.

Widely-spaced lines or wires placed around sites needing protection may have some efficacy in repelling crows, but further study is needed.

Cultural Methods

Alternate or decoy foods; example: scatter whole corn, preferably softened by water, through a field to protect newly planted corn seedlings.

Frightening

Use with roosts, crops, and some other situations. Frightening devices include recorded distress or alarm calls, pyrotechnics, various sound-producing devices, chemical frightening agents (Avitrol®), lights, bright objects, high-pressure water spray, and, where appropriate, shotguns.

Repellents

None are registered.

Toxicants

None are registered

Trapping

Check laws before trapping. Australian crow decoy traps may be useful near a high-value crop or other areas where a resident population is causing damage. Proper care of traps and decoy birds is necessary.

Capture single crows uninjured in size No. 0 or No. 1 steel traps that have the jaws wrapped with cloth or rubber.

Shooting and Hunting

Helpful as a dispersal or frightening technique but generally not effective in reducing overall crow numbers. Crows may be hunted during open seasons. Check with your state wildlife agency for local restriction.