Crows are found all over Ontario. They live in forests, agricultural fields, by roadsides and in urban areas. The larger common raven is found mostly in northern Ontario.
Crows and ravens eat almost anything: fruit, nuts, insects, garbage, carrion (dead and decaying animals) and occasionally the eggs or young of other birds.
Large birds, such as hawks, owls and eagles, and sometimes foxes and raccoons prey on ravens and crows.
Crows may work together to create solutions to problems as well as to harass or drive off predators.
Conflicts happen
Crows and ravens, especially in flocks, can be very noisy and make messes around waste disposal sites, compost piles and residential waste bins.
Crows may visit your garden and cause problems at nest boxes for smaller birds.
During spring and summer, adult birds may try to protect their homes, their mates or young by dive-bombing people.
Please keep in mind…
Wild animals have the same basic needs as humans – food, water and shelter. Sometimes, humans and wild creatures come into conflict when animals are trying to meet their basic needs. Often, conflicts can be prevented if we’re willing to make small changes to how we think and act.
People and wild animals live side by side in Ontario. We all share responsibility for preventing and handling human-wildlife conflicts. If you must take action against wildlife, please consider all your options and follow all relevant laws and regulations.
Conflicts with Crows and Ravens
How Can I Prevent Conflicts?
Limit food sources
- Crows and ravens are attracted to compost, garbage and pet food.
- Buy garbage cans with clamps or other mechanisms that hold lids on.
- Keep your garbage in a shed or a garage. Put garbage cans out for pickup in the morning.
- Don't leave trash bags alongside a curb, in back of a pickup truck or in an overfilled bin.
- Install a cage around your bird feeder so that only smaller birds can access feed.
- Avoid bird feed containing grain or corn.
Make your property unwelcoming
- Spiky perch wires on ledges or preferred roosting areas will deter birds from landing.
- Protect fruit crops with flexible bird netting. Four-inch mesh will keep crows/ravens out but not smaller birds such as robins and starlings.
- Visual scare devices, such as pie tins hung in trees, balloons, scarecrows, or flags can provide temporary protection of your property.
- Discourage birds by thinning up to half of the branches of roost trees or removing trees to reduce the availability of perch sites. A tree service company can remove tree limbs.
How Can I Handle a Conflict?
If crows or ravens are nesting around your property
- When possible, stay away from nesting areas with aggressive birds until their hatchlings are flying (three to four weeks after eggs hatch) and the parents are no longer so protective.
- Frighten birds away with loud noises such as clanging pots, air horns or tape recordings of hawk cries or crow/raven distress calls.
- Combine motion sensors with a sprinkler that attaches to a spray hose to startle birds.
- 10-centimetre mesh netting can prevent birds from getting to their preferred roosting sites.
- Install a 360-degree sprinkler in the roost tree or light it up with bright fluorescent lights to deter birds from roosting.
Lethal action is a last resort
- If a crow or raven is damaging your property, you may take lethal action to protect your property but you may not cause unnecessary suffering to the animal. You must follow firearm regulations and bylaws.
For more information and assistance…
To locate a local wildlife control agent…
• Speak with your neighbours, family, and friends.
• Look for "animal control" in your phone book or online.
For information on crows and ravens…
• Call your local Ministry of Natural Resources office or the Natural Resources Information Centre at 1-800-667-1940.
• Check out Project WILDSPACE
For information on how to prevent conflicts with crows and ravens….
• Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PDF, 340 KB)
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