How To Befriend A Wild Crow: Step 2/4

#crow #howtobefriendacrow #krähe #birds

Part 2: Offer Food
What is the right food for a crow and how to offer it.

Credits:

Unknown photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

© User:Colin / Wikimedia Commons

Mealworms © Raimond Spekking

[justinmanser]

My thing was sparrows, urban setting close to supermarkets in Switzerland. Very cool to have wild birds come to you, and although they preferred bread (and there was an abundance of 'day old' stuff outside these shops easily available to them) I opted for sunflower seeds for the same reason as you described. I will say this though, after a while I noticed an alpha male (pictured in my thumbnail) who would not really eat, but loved to come land on my hand while I fed his 'group'.
I feel it was more of a social thing, as it lasted for years, the first year being tough as I saw him everyday then he disappeared that October...However, I was certain that he returned in the Spring, shocking me by landing on my shoulder out of nowhere. After the 2nd year I knew the score and it was just normal for me to be at this train station with that bird on my finger(photos on my Facebook).
I strongly recommend kinship with wild birds, with the exception of gulls and pigeons (due to their messy habits annoying any neighbours). Find a commune of them, helps if you have a similar clothing and schedule when approaching them with food so they can recognise you. Eventually they'll get used to you and you'll be rewarded with a bad ass little friend and something that amazes people.
Non-domesticated animals are a rare treasure, getting outside the rat race of our species and it's detachment to nature is a mentally fortifying experience that will stay with you for life....I know that in spite of no longer being in Switzerland, sparrows will be forever intertwined with my life.
Thanks for the video...great topic!

[peteby]

It took 5 years of feeding the rooks and crows every day until 4 weeks ago a small crow came over to me looking for food . Now i see him every day and the locals think im nuts cause he sits on my hand or shoulder all the time. Some come over to get photos of the bird man and his crow but as i say to them he is not my crow im his human and honoured to be his friend .

[thesuburbanmorrigan]

I tried feeding my American crows healthier snacks in addition to the kibbled cat food, and they basically picked out the cat food before eating anything else. Plus, the other foods attracted more squirrels and starlings to the area, so I eventually went back to offering just cat food. Thank you for these lovely, informative videos! Even the comments on your videos are very enlightening.

[saumpferd]

Schön, interessant und aufschlussreich. Wir schauen uns deine Videos gerne an. Gruß von Jackie und dem Landstreicher♥♥♥

[ACuteAura]

we only have a full-size window and a railing instead of a full balcony, but we still have a crow (its mate stays behind) and a magpie pair that clear out whatever we put there within 15 minutes. Though of course we don't really get close to them, so we're also friends with park crows and have some very close friends there, especially crows with disabilities and malnutrition really appreciate a break from salvaging barbecue leftovers - we have one that's currently replacing it's broken old white feathers with shiny black ones.

[misocomplex]

can't wait for step 3, thank you for making this series!

[freerideziege]

I like to do scrambled eggs and pack half a shell with egg and treats that they like to take away and eat in eysight away from me. The space at my window is to tight, but it is the place with fresh water. He often sits and watches me. Last week I found him at my window sleeping (I guess) in the sun after a rain. He just watched me with one eye blinking for a while before he sat straight up again. 🥰

[HoodedCrowsOnly]

any food with sugar, not only chocolate, is a no

[tedstriker]

mine love monkey nuts, one of my favorite things is showing a young one how to open one, seeing their joy on finding a treat inside this strange object makes me glow. I give them some bread, tho noticed they dont like it and will often bring it to you and swap it for a nut '')

[onesiewarrior]

thank you for this. i will be sure to feed my local crows safely

[HaukeLaging]

Crows love Frolic (well, mine probably do not any more... 😆) but the "crow experts" hate people giving Frolic to crows. It is supposed to be even bad for dogs. Especially there is not much meat in it.

Crows should not be given cat food only. That is missing some nutrient (which I have forgotten...) that crows need. If they are to be given wet dog food then check the salt share. Dogs (like humans) can take higher levels of salt and like salt thus most dog food is not suitable for crows.

Considering their preferences: They prefer egg yolk over scrambled eggs. And it is not necessary to do the additional work of reducing the shell to tiny pieces and try to hide it in the scrambled eggs. Just put some pieces of shell next to it. They will take as much of it as they feel like doing. The nut preference (all without shell) is about this (from best to worst): cashew, Brazil nut (Paranuss), walnut, almond (Mandel), hazelnut, peanut. My crows do not take peanuts any more. Except for those in the shell. I guess the better storage trumps the taste and hardness. I recently read that due to their hardness peanuts were even dangerous for young crows (which can already fly) because they might get stuck. In addition to goulash my crows get fish fingers / sticks on most days. They like it, it's healthy for them and not as nasty to handle as pure fish. In my experience the most desired food for crows is mice. 😄🖤

[curiousthor]

a crow has built a nest near my terrace. it has pecked me two times so far😂😂

[krakraichbinda]

Salt is bad, however I've seen many times a crow with a piece of pizza in the bill.

[jeffashley]

Sadly I have salted peanuts but I think i can just wash them off and they will be alright

[curiousthor]

this crow is pecking my head when i go to my terrace garden... any solutions to avoid that??? shoukd i use an umbrella 🤔

[burmik]

My crows dont like nuts.
They take only meat. Dont know why.

[ToddDolce]

This would all be great but sadly leaving pet food and the like in your yard for the Crows often attract Rats, Mice and Stray Cats. Next thing you know the rodents are trying to get into your home to get more. IT HAPPENS!!! I do not recommend feeding any birds unless you have acres of land and can do so away from your home!