I. Different Types of Crows

Crows are large passerine birds that comprise the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Here are the more common crows found in North America.

* The American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America. In the interior of the continent south of the Arctic, is it simply called a crow, as no other such birds live there on any regular basis.

* The Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) is a typical crow in appearance that is associated with wetland habitats. This bird species is superficially similar to the American crow, but is smaller (36–41 cm in length) and has a more silky smooth plumage by comparison.

The differences are often only really apparent between the two species when they’re side by side or by their calls. The bill is usually somewhat slimmer than the American crow, but again, this may not help much when there is no other bird for comparison.

* The Common Raven (Corvus corax), also known as the Northern Raven, is a large, all-black passerine bird in the crow family. Found across the northern hemisphere, it is the most widely distributed of all corvids. There are eight known subspecies with little variation in appearance, although recent research has demonstrated significant genetic differences among populations from various regions.

II. Crows as Pests

Not only do crows feed on recently cast seed in rural areas, but they also gather nightly, starting with groups of a half dozen, which then unite to form a group of twenty to thirty and so on until the flock is quite large and noisy. It is their habit to return to the same place each night.

Machinery of various kinds, such as miniature windmills or horse rattles that are put in motion by the wind are often employed to frighten crows; however, all of these devices soon become familiar to the birds, so they quickly cease to be of any use whatever.

III. Basic Crow Control

* The Scarecrow: The most effectual method of banishing crows from a cornfield, as far as experience goes, is to combine scarecrows with the frequent use of the shotgun. Nothing strikes terror in these sagacious animals more than the sight of a fowling-piece and the explosion of gun powder, which they have known so often to be fatal to their race. But of course, if you want, you can leave the gun behind. The scarecrow is a device, traditionally a human figure dressed in old clothes or a mannequin that is used to discourage crows from disturbing crops (hence the name).

Modern scarecrows seldom take a human shape. On California farmland, highly reflective aluminum PET film ribbons are tied to the plants to create shimmers from the sun. Another approach is automatic noise guns powered with propane gas.

The scarecrow method is a motion-sensing sprinkler and is a great method for getting rid of crows. The crow can’t possibly get hurt, and other critters such as squirrels, raccoons, deer, dogs and cats, are also repelled. It could also be fun to try fireworks, strobe lights, sirens, horns, music or right-wing talk radio.

* Perch Repellents: Crows are difficult birds to get rid of because they are persistent pests and their populations in urban areas are usually quite numerous. If you live in a rural area, crow control is quite simple: scare them or shoot them. If you live in an urban area, the chance of being arrested after shooting a gun outdoors is high.

Your first line of urban defense against crows is the mechanical perch repellent – those sharp wires and needles that you see on the ledges and roofs of many state institutions.

* Bird Repellents: There are a ton of bird repellent chemicals and devices on the market today. You can’t type bird control into a search engine without an entire result page filled with bird control device manufacturers’ home pages.

Nevertheless, one of the most trusted brands in the bird repellent market is Bird-X. Bird-X’s policy is to provide non-lethal, non-harmful, environmentally safe and ecologically sound products, or so they say. Check it out for yourself to confirm these claims. In addition, Bird-X regularly receives referrals from the Audubon Society and the Animal Damage Control division of the USDA. You can’t go wrong with an endorsement from the Audubon Society.

* Clearing the trash: Crows cause problems when they’re looking for food in your yard. More often than not, the reason you are experiencing crow problems is that you have garbage clearing issues; crows eat anything, and will scavenge through your trash indiscriminately.

Aside from shooting crows, you’re left with the option to use homemade repellent devices. Hanging strips of aluminum foil on strings hung from the eves nearest their favorite feeding spot or clearing your garbage regularly is key.

* Bird Traps: Brody Enterprises (a well-known manufacturer of bird control devices and live bird traps), and Bird Motels sell pigeon traps four around $60. This may sound a little pricey, but one of the most effective ways to control pigeons is to trap them and relocate them a fair distance from your home. They also make a model for house sparrows as well, if sparrows are your problem bird.

IV. Natural Crow Control

The Bird Alarm is the way to go with electronic crow control; Martley audible bird alarms is one of the best bird alarm companies in the market. Just keep in mind that there will be a bit of a racket with the alarm that’s about as annoying as a car alarm going off.

Some people may think that silent bird alarms are the way to go, but the effectiveness of ultrasonic or silent bird alarms is questionable, at best. Many audible bird alarms come with visual deterrent features as well.

Flight Control is a newer, non-toxic product on the market that’s actually being deployed by airports and local airfields. According to Flight Control marketing, Flight Control can be applied to both turf and buildings, and is highly effective in repelling birds like crows, Canada geese, starlings and other “nuisance” birds.

Most natural forms of bird control involve silhouettes of birds of prey set up around the house to scare other pestiferous birds like crows. These are often made of plastic or cardboard and are sold either in an agricultural center or at a hardware store. For crows, use a hawk silhouette by day, and an owl silhouette by night.

V. Crow Conservation Status

* Crow Laws

In the United States it is legal to hunt crows in all states from around August to the end of March, and anytime if they are causing a nuisance or health hazard. There is no bag limit when they’re taken during the crow hunting season.

According to the US Code of Federal Regulations, crows may be taken (i.e., shot) without a permit in certain circumstances. USFWS 50 CFR 21.43 (Depredation order for blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows and magpies) states that a Federal permit is not required to control these birds "when found committing or about to commit depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance" provided:

*That none of the birds killed or their parts are sold or offered for sale.

*That anyone exercising these privileges shall permit any Federal or State game agent free and unrestricted access over the premises where the operations have been or are conducted and will provide them with whatever information is required by the officer.

*That the killing of such birds is not contrary to any State laws and that the person needs to possess whatever permits may be required by the State.

VI. Killing Crows

Avicide should always be a last resort in dealing with any bird – even crows. Avicides are bird poison, the avian equivalent of insecticides. However, their use has been heavily restricted by law because of the chances that you’ll end up killing a lot of species besides the birds you are attempting to control.

Strychnine, DRC-1339, and CPTH are a few common avicidal chemicals in use. One brand name avicide is Avitrol, but there isn’t a better way to piss off Audubon Society and PETA members than to use an avicide to get rid of birds. Only use this if it’s absolutely necessary.