How to Attract Crows (and Make Friends With Them)
American crows are big, all-black, and very smart. They can recognize individual people, and many backyard birders enjoy feeding a local crow family. A few peanuts go a long way.
What crows eat
Crows eat almost anything, from insects and seeds to fruit and scraps. Peanuts in the shell are the classic way to win them over.
Offer a small handful at the same time each day on the ground or a large platform. Crows learn routines quickly.
An open tray feeder that welcomes the widest range of birds, including cardinals, doves, jays, and juncos that prefer to feed in the open.
Check price on Amazon for Woodlink 3-in-1 Platform Feeder (opens Amazon)Give them space
Crows are wary of people at first. Put food out where they can land in the open with a clear view, and step back. Over weeks, many crows become comfortable with the people who feed them.
Add water
Crows drink and bathe, and they often dunk dry food in water. A sturdy bird bath is a good addition.
Open water in winter brings in birds that never visit seed feeders, like robins and bluebirds. This bath has a built-in thermostat, so it only heats when the water is close to freezing.
Check price on Amazon for API 970 Heated Bird Bath with Stand (opens Amazon)Frequently asked questions
Can crows really recognize people?
Yes. Research shows crows remember individual human faces for years, both friendly and unfriendly ones.
Will crows scare other birds away?
They may scatter small birds while eating. Feed crows in a separate spot from your songbird feeders.
What's the best food for crows?
Unsalted peanuts in the shell. Avoid bread, which fills them up without much nutrition.
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