Is It Good or Bad To Have Crows
in Your Yard?
Intelligent, beautifully black, and native to virtually all of America, crows are a regular sight no matter where you are. However, you might be wondering is
it good or bad to have crows in your yard. Whether you have a garden worth protecting or want to ensure the songbirds in your yard stay safe, it’s worth knowing this all-important answer.
Overall, it’s bad to have crows in your yard. Though bright and quite beautiful, crows are problematic. They strive to survive, and your yard is the habitat in which they live. They’ll use it as they see fit, frequently abusing your property, ruining your plants, and devastating the ecosystem.
In this article, I’ll explore the good and the bad of having crows in your yard, discuss the habits of these black birds, and delve into why you should or shouldn’t consider taking action against them. Keep reading to learn more.
The Pros of Having Crows in Your Yard
Before we dive into the pros and cons of having crows in your yard, let’s get one thing straight: Crows are not ravens.
Many people mistake crows for ravens and vice versa. However, while they may look somewhat similar, they’re vastly different from each other.
Similarly, many people think crows are menaces and pests to society. While this might be true some of the time, crows actually offer many benefits. You might be surprised to learn the good crows may do in your yard.
A Crow’s Quirky Habits Make Them Interesting Additions to Your Yard
Crows are known for their exciting habits, quirky behavior, and impressive abilities. Some crows can even mimic the sound of other animals, even humans! Crows, like parrots, have the same ability to imitate the sound of humans and even learn some words, despite not being domesticated birds.
Are you a bird watcher? is
it good or bad to have crows in your yard
Crows are considered geniuses, and if you’re someone who enjoys watching birds for their traits and habits, then you’ll definitely want to attract some crows to your yard. They’re fun to watch, quirky, and mysterious. They might be loud and annoying at times, but their rowdiness is part of what makes them so much fun, not to mention their sleek, black bodies are a beauty to behold.
Crows can be real entertainers when they're in your yard. You can attract them by offering them things they like, which is why I wrote this interesting article about, well, things Crows like.
Crows Are Nature’s Scavengers
It’s surprising, yes, but did you know you might want to attract some crows to your yard to help maintain it?
Crows, like hunters and gatherers, are master scavengers. They’re omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. Depending on the state of your yard, a crow can be especially helpful in getting rid of invasive plants and destructive pests such as insects and mice.
Crows are also highly intelligent. They do their best in whatever environment they find themselves and leave nothing to waste. Speaking of waste…
Crows are Resourceful But May Cause Waste
If you have a yard, then you most likely have a few trash bins, bins that every so often the trash trucks come to empty into their haul of garbage. But you’re not perfect. Sometimes trash falls out of the bin, or often it’s blown into your yard from on the street.
Crows, who are tactful scavengers, leave nothing to waste, and this, too, is part of the modern, metropolitan ecosystem.
While trash should never be a part of nature, crows find ways to turn it into nourishment. And in some cases, crows will eat leftovers from the garbage, plastic wrappers, and other forms of waste. That can occasionally be a good thing, as it keeps the trash from your yard.
However, it may encourage crows to eat garbage instead of other, healthier, and more natural forms of food. It may also lead to them seeking out garbage - diving into your bins and spreading the waste everywhere, which is why this “pro” is also a con.
The Cons of Having Crows in Your Yard
Crows most definitely can have a negative effect on your yard. While they can be good from time to time, in most cases, a crow will cause harm to your yard and its ecosystem. Here are some ways crows can be bad for your yard.
Crows Are Litter Bugs
Okay, I know I said they could help with waste management, but in reality, they’ll most likely cause there to be more waste. These birds are very resourceful, and they’ll do anything to be kept fed, even get into your garbage bins, spreading trash all over the place.
You want to keep your yard neat and orderly, and it might be challenging if you’re cleaning up after crows every day. To discourage crows from doing this, you might want to find a way to keep your bins shut or to keep them inside if you can. Plus, eating trash is bad for their health, too.
One of the downsides of Crows in your yard is that they can be loud at times, especially when there's more than one. Here's an article of mine that talks more about this and explains why Crows are so loud.
Crows Can Be Bad for Other Birds
Crows are on the larger side, and they can sometimes be domineering. Having crows in your yard may cause other species of bird to feed somewhere else.
Additionally, if crows are hungry enough, they’ll eat the young of other birds. It’s nice to have colorful birds in your yard, especially if they sing a nice tune. Therefore, you probably don’t want a crow in your yard squawking at all hours of the day and scaring off the more musical birds.
Even though Crows can be aggressive towards other birds...what about humans? Is there anything to be concerned about? Check out my helpful article that deals with the questions about whether Crows attack humans.
They Aren’t Good for the Garden
On top of being bad for birds, crows have been known to destroy gardens. It might be a good thing for a crow to eat insects in your yard, but not if those insects are integral to the ecosystem of your yard and garden. Also, when crows get hungry enough, they will feed on your fruits and vegetables.
Is It Good Or Bad To Have Crows In Your Yard?...Conclusion
At the end of the day, the decision is up to you. However, if you decide you don’t want crows in your yard, you’ll need to implement some way to keep them away. Keeping your garbage stored safely and securely is one of the best ways to keep crows away.
If you have a garden, consider covering it with a drape or net. Crows can be pesky birds, so you must be on your toes.
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About the Author...
Richard Worden, a dedicated bird lover for over 20 years, I love to share my in-depth knowledge and passion for birds. Read more About Me and my expertise in this field.
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Hi! I'm Richard Worden, the author and founder of We Know
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Over 20 years ago I developed a keen interest in
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