skip to main content

HELP with baby crows!

17 years ago

Hi all.....I have a nest of baby crows in the eves over my front porch. I was very excited by this, as I have never had crows. My excitement has dimmed somewhat because they, or I should say, the Momma bird, has made a huge mess of my front porch, walk way, down the side of the brick, and all over my plants and shrubs. It seems like they have been there forever. My question is, how long before they leave? They are kinda wearing out their welcome...LOL J/K. I also have a mockingbird nest in the holly bush very close to the crows nest, which to me was surprising that these two species would build that close to each other. These are my first mockingbirds as well. I also have my little Carolina Wren, who is frantically building a nest in the same flower pot on my back deck, where they build every year. I guess there is a sign on my front lawn that says birds welcome here...LOL. No really, I am thrilled and have pretty much made my yard a bird sanctuary, with many feeders, and baths. But my little wrens have never made a mess like the crows have. Can anyone tell me how long before the crows leave? I can't seem to find an answer from goggle.

Thanks in advance,

Sharon

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

shay2006
Original Author
17 years ago
Excuse me...that would be google ;)
chinamigarden
17 years ago
I kind of doubt its a crow's nest. They prefer platform nests and usually do not nest in the eaves. Crows are very large birds 18 inches long, but if it is a crow then the babies will fledge in about 35 days.
Related Discussions
Ducklings vs large crows etc.
Q
Comments (8)
We don't have crows, but we have ravens and magpies, and I have seen both carry wild ducklings away, so I don't thing a domestic duck would have a chance. When I had ducks years ago and allowed them on a lake behind our house, the eagles killed every one of the adults and we could do nothing since they are protected. I now keep everything in a pen with a large net (old gill net) over the top. We have found that to be the only way we can protect our birds from eagles, owls, ravens, and magpies. We even had owls kill adult ganders; they couldn't carry the carcass, so they just took the head and neck and left the rest.
...See More
ot-how to keep crows from robin nesting site?m
Q
Comments (2)
these *&*(%$% crows we have everywhere. Don't dis the crows! They alerted me to the bald eagle about to make lunch out of my favorite hen. Miraculously, she survived with nothing but a lot of feathers, and a couple of quarter sized patches of skin missing on her back. I had no idea she was still alive when I charged the thing, and made it drop her. If they hadn't been harassing the eagle, and if I hadn't gone out to see why the crows were making so much noise, she would have been a goner.
...See More
Crows in Texas
Q
Comments (4)
I run them out of my yard every chance I get. I'll battle grasshoppers with Nolo or something else. Year before last, the crows took every pecan out of my tree. I saw them land in the tree and take off again with a 2 foot branch in their claws. Last year I netted the tree and they tore holes in the net. When I saw them going after the tree, I went out and picked every pecan on the tree, even though they were still in their green husks. I usually have mockingbirds going after my tomatoes, but I'd keep a careful eye on those crows. They will indeed eat anything.
...See More
I need some Scare Crow Advice about Colours.
Q
Comments (7)
I criss-cross fishing line over the chook pen, though it is 7ft high, the crows don't see it and try to fly in and hit the line. It doesn't seem to hurt them just gives them a rough landing so they go somewhere else. Works for chicken hawks as well. My father used to do this too. He also used to put rat traps on the roof, not set, but the crows didn't know that. Another thing he stumbled on was when he sprinkled some powdered lime around the pen (apparently deters lice) the crows didn't come anywhere near the place.
...See More
shay2006
Original Author
17 years ago
I think you are correct. After your post, I did some research. I believe what I have is a grackle. If the mess they have made is any indication, (as I read they make a horrible mess) it is definitely a grackle. This bird is not as big as a crow from the picture I saw, and the bird I have is about that size. I am a little freaked out now because they apparently carry many diseases that humans can contract. It said they stay 12 to 16 days in the nest, so they should be gone any day, thankfully.

Thanks for your post.
feather_z9_ncacoast
17 years ago
Grackles don't nest under eaves either. If the adults have long yellow bills and short stubby tails and glossy plumage, then you have European Starlings. They will be gone soon. The babies when they leave will look gray all over with long dark bills and short stubby tails.
shay2006
Original Author
17 years ago
When I say under the eaves, actually, there was a little opening under the eave that went into the attic, if that makes sense. We built this house 3 years ago and we never even noticed the space. That's how small it is. They were inside of that space, not on the outside of the house.

I checked pics of starlings, crows, cowbirds and grackles, and they most resembled grackles. They had long tails, and long dark beaks, and really looked like miniature crows. I do think they were grackles. As of today, we believe they are gone. They sure were messy little things. My husband is going up into the attic this weekend to see what kind of mess they made in there. I'm not sure that where the nest is will be accessible from the attic however, because the room that the opening was over is a room with a cathedral ceiling. If he can't get to it from the attic, he will have to seal it up from the outside. The space is so small that he will not be able to see inside to observe the nest or the mess from the outside.

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES Rooster Decorating Worth Crowing About

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Put the kibosh on kitsch with these ideas for strutting your rooster-motif stuff in moderation

REMODELING GUIDES Wisdom to Help Your Relationship Survive a Remodel

By Mitchell Parker

Spend less time patching up partnerships and more time spackling and sanding with this insight from a Houzz remodeling survey

Ideabook 911: I Need Help Staging for Resale

By Becky Harris

ORGANIZING Help for Whittling Down the Photo Pile

By Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent!

Consider these 6 points your personal pare-down assistant, making organizing your photo collection easier

DECORATING GUIDES Houzz Call: What Home Collections Help You Feel Like a Kid Again?

By Mitchell Parker

Whether candy dispensers bring back sweet memories or toys take you back to childhood, we'd like to see your youthful collections

SMALL SPACES Downsizing Help: Where to Put Your Overnight Guests

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

Lack of space needn’t mean lack of visitors, thanks to sleep sofas, trundle beds and imaginative sleeping options

HOME OFFICES Online Tools Help Paperless Plunge

By Bneato Professional Organizing

Pay bills, catch up on reading and keep track of schedules and dates with these terrific online tools

MOST POPULAR 7 Ways Cats Help You Decorate

By Molly Brandenburg

Furry felines add to our decor in so many ways. These just scratch the surface

PETS How to Help Your Dog Be a Good Neighbor

By Alison Hodgson

Good fences certainly help, but be sure to introduce your pup to the neighbors and check in from time to time

LIFE Decluttering — How to Get the Help You Need

By Alison Hodgson

Don't worry if you can't shed stuff and organize alone; help is at your disposal

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Franklin County's Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

ID OWL IN S.E. MICHIGAN z5b

0