Crows in Sacramento (and other cities)

October 19, 2023

Question: Why does it seem there are so many crows in urban Sacramento?

Answer: Many cities around the U.S. have experienced an increase in urban American crow populations in recent years. Crows are social and often sleep or roost in groups overnight. Urban areas can be favorable for roost sites, providing sizeable and numerous trees for sleeping. Also, an urban environment with lots of concrete, asphalt and buildings can trap the heat during the day, providing a warmer environment than the surrounding open areas. There also may be fewer predators in urban areas versus more natural settings. Another reason is that cities often have abundant food that provides food waste, which crows can use as a part of their diet. Lastly, the larger the group the more likely a predator or other threat can be detected by an individual in the group and alert other crows in the roost.

Back when I was a kid in the 60's my brother and I would go out to the corn fields outside of Fresno, put up a wooden Owl on a fence post and shoot crows. We'd pop one and two minutes later the crazy birds would come right back to drive the Owl away. They were considered a pest back then and some farmers would pay us to shoot them. Then, I believe they were reclassified as a migratory bird and we couldn't hunt them anymore. Took them to Granny and she would make Crow Pie or Blackbird Pie as she called it. Much like a Chicken pot pie only a bit gamey. Miss her and those days!

The good ole days
I still recall the first time I was under the overshot cloud of a 12 ga out working a feild.
Like hail cept harder to see 

Had a pair cruise thru today come to think of it...

The answer starts with, "Many cities around the U.S. have experienced an increase in urban American crow populations in recent years." But, I see nothing in the answer that even hints at a possible reason for such an increase "in recent years". Instead, the answer just gives generic reasons why crows might like to live in an urban environment.

My guess is that the rise in homeless camps is a significant part of the answer. I work in downtown San Jose, where I walk past homeless camps every time I go to work. I don't recall seeing crows before the area was taken over by the homeless, but now it's a common sight to see crows picking thru the refuse.

There's a lot of crows here in Boulder Creek too, as well as ravens.  Recently saw at least a hundred of them fly into the trees above my house, does seem like a lot of them recently. The ravens are really interesting to me, they are always up to something.  Often in the early morning going to a launch spot they are attacking the overflowing trash cans in downtown like raccoons.  I swear I've had one laugh directly at me 

There's a lot of crows here in Boulder Creek too, as well as ravens.  Recently saw at least a hundred of them fly into the trees above my house, does seem like a lot of them recently. The ravens are really interesting to me, they are always up to something.  Often in the early morning going to a launch spot they are attacking the overflowing trash cans in downtown like raccoons.  I swear I've had one laugh directly at me 

I also think that ravens are smart enough to have a sense of humor and they will do things like take and give gifts or seek revenge.  These birds are really smart.

The answer starts with, "Many cities around the U.S. have experienced an increase in urban American crow populations in recent years." But, I see nothing in the answer that even hints at a possible reason for such an increase "in recent years". Instead, the answer just gives generic reasons why crows might like to live in an urban environment.

My guess is that the rise in homeless camps is a significant part of the answer. I work in downtown San Jose, where I walk past homeless camps every time I go to work. I don't recall seeing crows before the area was taken over by the homeless, but now it's a common sight to see crows picking thru the refuse.

The long hand and eyes of Saruman's spies are at hand...

I've got a friend who is pretty much a bird expert, she owns a birding shop and runs tours even internationally. On a recent camping trip I was bemoaning the crows in my neighborhood and the lack of other birds. She explained that's not surprising, due to their predatory nature they drive out most other smaller birds. Thinking about where I lived 3 yrs ago with very few crows but lots of other birds from sparrows to dove to robins and everything inbetween (in my track house yard) and where I live now where I have seen only crows and a lone pair of scrub jays in my yard. Both neighborhoods are similar. When I look for them the lack of other birds in my neighborhood is really significant. She said that the crows have literally taken over some locals where they live, they are the top tier predator in their neighborhoods with plenty of other food source when needed.

The answer starts with, "Many cities around the U.S. have experienced an increase in urban American crow populations in recent years." But, I see nothing in the answer that even hints at a possible reason for such an increase "in recent years". Instead, the answer just gives generic reasons why crows might like to live in an urban environment.

My guess is that the rise in homeless camps is a significant part of the answer. I work in downtown San Jose, where I walk past homeless camps every time I go to work. I don't recall seeing crows before the area was taken over by the homeless, but now it's a common sight to see crows picking thru the refuse.

Not ready to accept homeless camps in the neighborhood, but if they attract crows, that might remove the red-shoulder hawks from the neighborhood.  The hawks seem to be the biggest threat to my free-ranging chickens.