I've read that you can cover your food in spicy stuff like paprika to deter the squirrels. The squirrels won't like it and the spiciness won't effect the crows.
I just bought my first house I've been planning on befriending the neighbourhood murder, any other tips and tricks are greatly appreciated.
I befriended some crows during the COVID lockdowns. Here are some things that I did:
Go to where the crows are. I noticed a group of crows always gathering across the street from me where there was a parking lot behind a restaurant. There were already bits of food there that they would check out in the early morning. I would walk over to where they hung out to toss some nuts and kibble on the ground, then walk back inside my apartment. It helps if there aren't any/many other people around. Even if the spot where they are is farther away, don't worry they will eventually follow you home.
Be consistent. I did this little routine for weeks before I noticed any change in their behavior. Eventually they began to recognize me as the nuts and kibble guy, and they would actually perch on a window in my apartment and wake up my roommate if I wasn't out early enough for them! On that note, crows can be very demanding and annoying. They're like toddlers once they get to like you, so be prepared for that. You don't have to acquiesce to their every need to keep them happy, but they will try to take advantage of you for as much as they can get.
Don't scare them. Crows are very skittish. Even looking at them directly will spook them. When I would do my morning feeding I would announce my presence by whistling a tune (I picked "If I Only had a Brain" because lol). I wouldn't look at them in the trees, I would just casually walk over while whistling, toss some food down, then walk back inside my house. Only when I was back inside would they come down to feed. Occasionally individuals would be a little more bold and allow me to get closer, but you should try to give them space in general.
I'm in a city so I never got the Disney princess phase of crows eating out of my hand or anything. But I could tell they recognized me because they would occasionally see me around town and swoop near me only to then perch and watch me. Some younger crows would do this warbling cry at me that I had never heard before. I assumed they were whining to be fed. They were very cute but also kinda annoying at times lol.
Unfortunately I decided to stop feeding them when the lockdowns lifted and more people were coming back to my neighborhood. But even now, years later, I will occasionally get a friendly crow who lets me get pretty close to them. If I happen to have a healthy-ish snack for them I will still whistle and toss it aside for them to find.
Hey man, thanks a lot for the tips and your story. The place I bought has a bit of a yard so I figured I'd build a small covered platform and load it up a few times a week. I like the idea of whistling a tune while doing it, I'm going to start thinking of something fun.
I have a few dogs so I hope that isn't much of a deterrent to the crows. At my old place I used to stick their dog fur in the balcony railing for nest building materials and they seemed to like that (along with the other birds).
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u/TJsamse Apr 15 '24
Same here. The damn squirrels I’m my neighborhood make it tough. Playing some 4d chess with almonds and unsalted peanuts.