Although general bird feeding is more popular among elderly people, this is one of those cases where it’s because they’re wiser and we should pay attention. Because watching bird is freaking great.
Starting with a few bucks, you can transform your window in a live episode of Planet Earth, replete with competition, a revolving cast of characters, and ~drama~
allaboutbirds.org/news/power-str…
allaboutbirds.org/news/power-str…
And as you learn each species not only will you feel good, in the way learning new things makes one feel good, but seeing new birds will become insatiably exciting.
Not in a position to set up your own feeder? No problem. There are plenty of live feeder cams you can watch instead. Like this one in Ithaca NY from @CornellBirds
If you do decide to take up backyard/back porch/apartment balcony bird feeding though there are some best practices it’s important to read up on and honor: birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/learn/…
If you really want to level up though, I can’t espouse enough the joys of responsibly feeding corvids, especially crows. Because while putting up a bird feeder and watching from the kitchen is perfectly acceptable voyeurism, crows can give you something more...
See, like some other animals, crows will actually learn your face. They will recognize you. They will look for you. What that means is that going outside can become a bit like coming home. Your presence is awaited for and met with glee. It’s a darn good feeling.
While trust takes time to build, their ability to recognize you can happen after only a single interaction & lasts decades. This is especially true if you’re an asshole, so beware of ever hurting a crow, lest they make an example of you. nytimes.com/2008/08/26/sci…
For most people, feeding crows will only go so far as the joys of hearing soft wingbeats and quiet contact calls when they see you. Of being recognized by a perfectly wild thing. But for others the experience can be more rewarding. As in literal rewards. Some people get “🎁”
From chicken bones to keys to “art”, across the United States and beyond, people report finding things crows have left where they are fed.
Perhaps the most well know for this is Gabi Mann, the girl who gets gifts from the birds. bbc.com/news/magazine-…
Perhaps the most well know for this is Gabi Mann, the girl who gets gifts from the birds. bbc.com/news/magazine-…
I was lucky enough to meet Gabi and her family on numerous occasions while they still lived in Seattle and I can verify that their accounts of the crows leaving things is accurate; they got many of them on video. 
More recently, Stuart Dahlquist shared this experience, which took twitter by storm:
For most crow feeders, these are gifts plain and simple. They are acts of gratitude.
I can’t verify that as a scientist. I can’t say it’s wrong either.
I can’t verify that as a scientist. I can’t say it’s wrong either.
I think it’s more likely they are left at first by accident, or because between a piece of blue plastic and a peanut, the choice of what to occupy your mouth with is clear. But we don’t know. So for now, enjoy the whimsy of maybe getting a present. Why not.
As with more regular bird feeding though, there are important do’s and dont’s.
Do give high protein foods like unshelled peanuts or pet kibble.
Don’t leave a mess for the rats. A good way to avoid this is to put out a small amount of food. A handful of nuts a day is plenty.
Do give high protein foods like unshelled peanuts or pet kibble.
Don’t leave a mess for the rats. A good way to avoid this is to put out a small amount of food. A handful of nuts a day is plenty.
Do target a specific bird or pair.
Don’t put out so much food that more crows are coming to your yard than your neighborhood was already supporting. This is bad for your relationships with your neighbors and for other wildlife.
Don’t put out so much food that more crows are coming to your yard than your neighborhood was already supporting. This is bad for your relationships with your neighbors and for other wildlife.
Do anticipate that crows will kill and eat other animals when they can (<5% of their diet), like when they find nests.
Don’t assume this means crows are ruining the populations of other birds. corvidresearch.blog/2014/06/20/do-…
Don’t assume this means crows are ruining the populations of other birds. corvidresearch.blog/2014/06/20/do-…
Do get to know your pair and build trust. Think of interesting ways for them to get their food like puzzles. Have fun.
Don’t train to handfeed. You’re trying to build a relationship with healthily boundaries, not be Snow White.
Don’t train to handfeed. You’re trying to build a relationship with healthily boundaries, not be Snow White.
If you have other questions or want other tips don’t hesitate to ask. Welcome to #Team crow
