Raven and crow control

Crows and ravens are intelligent, social birds known for their adaptability to various environments across North America. While fascinating, they can sometimes become pests when they invade urban areas, farmlands, or yards, causing noise, damage, and even health concerns. Effective raven and crow control involves understanding their behaviors, their characteristics, and the most humane and effective methods to deter them from spaces where they are unwanted.

Deterring ravens and crows

Targeted techniques are needed to deter these intelligent birds effectively. Exclusion methods, like netting, are key to blocking access to roosting and nesting sites. UV repellents and olfactory repellents provide additional deterrents, making environments less attractive. Fogging and misting systems can temporarily discourage crows and ravens in specific areas, and tactile/sensory perch modification, such as spiked or textured surfaces, creates uncomfortable roosting spots, reducing their presence. By combining these control methods, property owners can protect buildings and outdoor spaces from the noise, mess, and potential damage of crow and raven infestations.

Raven and crow characteristics

Ravens and crows are both members of the corvid family, a group known for its high intelligence, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability. Though they share similarities, these two birds have unique traits that set them apart.

Identification: How can you tell them apart?

Identifying crows and ravens requires looking at key differences in size, call, and feather characteristics. Recognizing these details can help you determine which bird is frequenting your property, which is helpful for choosing an effective control strategy.

• Size and shape: Ravens are larger and have wedge-shaped tails, while crows are smaller with fan-shaped tails.

• Sound: Crows produce a “caw-caw” sound, while ravens make a low, guttural “kraa” or “croak.”

• Behavior: Crows are highly social and gather in large flocks, especially during winter, while ravens are often found alone or in pairs.

Habitat

Crows and ravens are incredibly versatile in terms of habitat. Both birds have successfully adapted to human presence, making them common in rural, suburban, and urban settings across the United States.

Crows thrive in urban areas, suburban neighborhoods, and farmland. Their adaptability allows them to nest in trees, on rooftops, or even in large hedges, as long as they have easy access to food and a safe space for nesting. Crows prefer open landscapes with scattered trees and reliable food sources, which is why they’re often seen near parks, trash bins, and agricultural fields.

Ravens, on the other hand, prefer more remote or wild habitats, such as forests, mountains, and deserts. Though less common in densely populated urban areas, ravens can occasionally be seen near large open spaces, parks, or rural farmlands. Ravens prefer elevated nesting areas like cliffs, ledges, or tall trees where they can build large, sturdy nests.

Behaviors, threats, and dangers

Crows and ravens are both highly intelligent and resourceful, using their problem-solving skills to access food and avoid threats. However, this intelligence can sometimes lead to nuisance behaviors when they decide to roost in residential areas or farmlands.

Crows are notorious for scavenging through garbage, stealing pet food, and raiding gardens. Their loud, repetitive calls can be disruptive, especially if they roost in large numbers near homes or businesses. Crows have also been known to damage crops, which can pose problems for farmers. Additionally, their droppings can create messes and spread bacteria, making crow control essential for those who wish to avoid these issues.

Ravens are generally less of a problem in urban areas but can still cause issues in rural settings. They can prey on small livestock or scavenge at landfills, which may attract other pests. Ravens have a reputation for being especially territorial and can sometimes become aggressive during nesting season, which may pose a risk to pets or small animals.

Both ravens and crows are also known carriers of diseases, such as West Nile Virus, which adds to concerns in areas where they’re abundant.

If you are experiencing problems with crows or ravens, contact us at Ehrlich for advice. As well as corvid control, we provide bird control services for multiple species, including pigeons, Canada geese and European house sparrows. We’re highly experienced at addressing bird problems, using a variety of measures, including bird netting, bird spikes, electric deterrent strips, grid systems, trapping, optical gel, and repellents such as Avian Block™ and Bird-Out™.

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