Why Are Crows So Loud?

In The Morning, At Night, Why Do They Caw So Much??

By Richard Worden

If there's one avian behavior that interests almost every birder - it's their gentle but melodious calls at any time of day. Most make such sweet sounds for several reasons, but Corvus birds, on the contrary, aren't always harmonious. Why are crows so loud every time?

Crows are so loud because they pass information to their mates around. The sound, called caws, can warn others of a predator nearby, ward off intruding birds on their territory, or get their nestlings' attention during training. It may sound like noise to us, but it's all part of their lifestyle.

In this article, I will discuss crow caws and why they are loud and sometimes disturbing. You will also learn various ways to prevent their noise entirely if it becomes unbearable.

Why Are Crows So Loud in the Morning?

To most, nothing's more irritating than an early morning noise that disturbs one's sleep, and crows can be significant instigators of such. They upset the entire area with seemingly endless caws at dawn, which get louder as the roost's population increases. Of all possible hours of the day, why are crows so loud during this sensitive time?

Crows seem so loud in the morning because the neighborhood is quieter due to the fewer background noises. If their caws were even slightly louder in midday, people might not notice because of other noisier sounds. They caw at daybreak for several reasons, such as exchanging greetings.

Every morning, crows in roosts instinctively look to disperse into smaller units. Each flock or family consisting of a mating pair, sometimes with offspring from a previous breeding season, moves together.

The avians look for food in the area, which older ones are more experienced at finding.

Therefore, there is hardly a specific reason behind their loud caws, particularly in the morning. Like during other periods of the day, they can be so noisy because:

• They've just spotted a predator and want to warn others of their presence.
• They want to keep others intruding on their territory at bay.
• They're sending signals or giving instructions to their young with distinct caw pitches.
  
  

Why Are Crows So Loud at Night?

In general, crows are diurnal like humans, so they likewise go to bed when we do at night. However, although experts expect crows to also be inactive after dusk, they aren't the most silent avians during sleeping hours. 

Crows are so loud at night, mainly because predators are around. The calls can deter the animal, alert other crows to flee or get them to work together to deal with the threat. Although only one crow may make the first caw, others may respond to warn the entire roost, making them much louder.

Like us, even when crows are trying to get a good night's rest, threats, especially from predators, can force them awake. Some popular ones include snakes, raccoons, and even humans that can attack them or their eggs.

Crows aren't very deep sleepers, so when they sense danger, they caw loudly ultimately to save themselves and others in the roost.

However, there isn't always a concrete reason for their loud caws at night. While it has puzzled some bird and wildlife experts, others have concluded that it doesn't have any real meaning, and the crows may just be bored or excited.

At night, they can caw: 

• When they are alone (because they prefer living with others being highly social birds)
• When people disturb them (i.e., by shining artificial light at them)
• For attention when they can't sleep (especially hatchlings)
  
  

Crows make all sorts of fascinating sounds other than
caw-caw, and for different purposes.
This YouTube video highlights 11 of them!...

Is There a Certain Time of Year When Crows Caw the Most?

When people who've "enjoyed" crows loud caws describe their experience, there's always a common detail – the bird calls aren't as disturbing in certain months as others. Hence, there should be a period when we can expect the noisiest caws.

Crows caw the most in winter because their numbers peak during this period. A roost can be as few as hundreds scattered in a tree or reach over 10,000 in multiple tall trees near one another. Although each bird's caw may not be very loud, a roost’s enormous population means more noise.

Sometimes, they may not even be numerous during winter, as a crow may just be roosting with two or three other relatives. Regardless, they'll undoubtedly feel louder to the area's residents if they haven't always been around.

Conversely, crows usually disperse as the breeding season approaches from February to March. They head for nesting grounds early to secure optimal positions and materials for reproduction.

Therefore, you can enjoy your neighborhood's serenity better before December again.

When Are Crows the Loudest?

Crows' distinctive caws are one of the signs of their above-average intelligence, but sadly, we have to deal with the noise because we don't understand them. They usually make the most calls during winter because their population peaks, but the volume of the caws can vary throughout the day.

Crows are loudest in the mornings, just before they leave their roosts to forage. Ornithologists see this early morning communication as a form of "morning greeting," especially when there is no danger. 

Also, flocks communicate mid-afternoon at pre-roosting sites before heading to their communal roost. In short, crows are more active during the day, hence would caw more to their mates' understanding. 

However, like every diurnal organism, they need to rest at night, so they aren't too active after dusk. On an ideal night, they will sleep until daybreak, and the cycle continues, but various conditions only sometimes make this possible. 

Predators may lurk by, or there might be a need to defend their territory. Hence, they caw whenever necessary. Nonetheless, their active status after dawn increases the likelihood of loud and nonstop calls before dusk.

How To Stop Crows From Cawing

No matter how loud and annoying crow caws are, it almost feels like you are helpless. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects them, and even if there were no laws, it might feel unethical to harm them. Thus, it’s best to employ some lawful ways to prevent crows from cawing.

You can stop crows from cawing by placing visual deterrents around. Some popular ones include scarecrows, mylar tapes, laser devices, aluminum foil, and old CDs. Also, audio scare devices, such as recorded distress sounds, propane cannons, and cracker shells, keep them away.

Although such methods will compel the crows to caw more loudly to warn others about the potential danger in your area, they will eventually avoid your home. As discussed, they can only make noise if they are around to communicate with others. Therefore, your area would be quieter if you could ward them off through these means.

Don't use live predators, harmful chemicals, or guns to keep them away, as they could hurt them and their offspring badly. 

Finally, ensure you aren't upsetting others by keeping the crows away, including your neighbors or avid birders who enjoy their presence.

Why Are Crows So Loud?...Conclusion

Crows may be highly popular for their intelligence, but only those who've encountered them know how noisy they are. They crow loudly, especially in winter mornings, before dispersing for food foraging.

They caw primarily because of a predator's presence or to simply discuss with others.

If their sound becomes unbearable, use these two techniques to ward them off:

• Hang visual deterrents such as fake predators, old CDs, aluminum foils, and scarecrows around your property.
• Scare them with several sound deterrents.
  
  

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Hi! I'm Richard Worden, the author and founder of We Know Birds.

Over 20 years ago I developed a keen interest in birds and birdwatching, and it has been my passion ever since. I am committed to spreading useful knowledge about birds to others so we might all enjoy them to the fullest.

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