Birds are natural smart creatures. They built their nest very carefully so that no one could destroy their nest. But sometimes, crows attack the birds’ nest, stall their food eggs and destroy it. In this situation, one question may arise in your mind how to protect bird nests from crows? To answer these questions, you need to know about crow behaviour, and then you have to take steps. In the previous article, we discussed how can I protect baby birds from predators. In this article, we will discuss crow behaviour and how to protect bird nests from crows.
Crow’s Behavior:
- Crows are omnivorous animals. They eat seeds, insects, small mammals, reptiles, and even fish and carrion. They are opportunistic feeders.
- Crow has long beaks with sharp claws, which help them for catching prey. Their eyesight is not good but they have a keen sense of smell.
- Like other birds, the crow builds its nest on tree branches. Nests are usually made from twigs and leaves.
- Crows build their nests near human habitation. If you see a crow in your garden or backyard, then there is a high chance that it is building its nest near your home.
- The crow loves to gather around water sources such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. During wintertime, when the temperature drops down, they gather at river banks to find food.
- Crows are destructive animals. They destroy other birds’ nests, steal their food, and kill young chicks. Sometimes they also steal eggs from chicken coops.
- When a crow finds an egg, it tries to break it open. It pecks the egg until it cracks. Then it eats the contents inside the shell.
how To Protect bird nests from crows? some tips-
1. Predator decoys
Predators use fake prey (decoy) carcasses to lure predators away from their actual hunting grounds. These decoys are often used to scare off predators like foxes, hawks, owls, eagles etc. You have to place decoys strategically along trails or paths where predators travel. A predator might mistake the decoy for real prey and get lured into a trap. This method works best if the predator is attracted to the scent of the bait.
2. Scarecrow
Scarecrows are artificial devices designed to look like dead bodies of wild animals. These scarecrows are placed in places where predators frequent. By placing scarecrows, you create a false impression that the area is infested with dangerous animals. Thus, it becomes difficult for predators to hunt for real prey.
3. Deadfall traps
A Deadfall trap is another way to protect your bird nest from crows. These traps are set up to catch large animals. It will provide a safe haven for nesting birds. For example, a hunter could set up a trap using a heavy log or tree branch to prevent big animals like bears, wolves, coyotes etc. from entering.
4. Netting
You can use netting to cover your birdnest. It will protect your bird nest from predators and crows. However, make sure that the netting does not touch the ground because this may attract crows. Also, keep in mind that the netting should be placed on the highest point of the nest. You can use metal mesh or plastic netting. Make sure that the size of the netting matches the size of the nest.
5. Build a birdhouse
Birdhouses are specially constructed shelters that provide protection to baby birds. When crows come to attack the bird’s nest, they will first try to enter through the door of the birdhouse. Once they enter, they cannot escape because there is no exit. So the crow will eventually die due to suffocation or starvation. To construct a birdhouse, you need wood, nails, and screws. You can place these birdhouses near trees or shrubs.
6. Remove the eggs
Crows like to eat other birds’ eggs. For this reason, they attack the other bird’s nest. You can remove all the eggs from the nest before the chicks hatch. The crows will leave the nest once they find out that there are no more eggs left in the nest.
Why do crows attack the bird’s nest?
Crows are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders. That means they eat both plant materials as well as meat. Because of their scavenging habits, they love to eat other birds’ eggs. In fact, they are so fond of eating eggs that they even attack nests of other species. They also eat worms, insects, seeds, berries, fruits etc.
Do electric fences work against crows?
Yes! Electric fences work very effectively against crows. If you want to build an electric fence around your property, then you must ensure that the fence has enough power to repel the crows.
Can I use poison to protect my bird nest from a crow’s attack?
Poisoning is one of the most effective ways of protecting your bird nest from crow attacks. But we don’t recommend this method because crows are also natural creatures, and poisoning them might harm them too. We suggest you avoid poisoning your pets and try to follow the above-mentioned steps.
How long can I expect my bird nest to last?
It depends on how much effort you put into taking care of your bird nest. A healthy bird nest usually lasts for about 3-4 months. After that period, it starts deteriorating and becomes less attractive to birds. Therefore, if you want to have a good-looking bird nest, it is better to take proper care of it.
What is the best time to start caring for my bird nest?
If you start caring for your bird nest during the spring season when the weather is still cold, you will have an easier time keeping the nest clean and protected from rain. During summertime, the temperature gets hotter, and it is difficult to control pests such as ants and flies.
Final thought
We hope that our article helps you to understand why crows attack bird nests and what you can do to prevent this problem. We recommend you follow the tips given in the article and take extra care of your bird nest to get rid of crows. Good luck with your bird nest!
