Crows are intelligent, adaptable birds found in various environments. They do eat plants, incorporating a wide range of vegetation into their diets. Their ability to thrive in diverse habitats is significantly linked to their flexible eating habits, which include plant-based foods.
Crow Dietary Habits
Crows are omnivores, consuming both plant and animal matter. This broad dietary preference allows them to adapt to different environments and available food sources. While known for scavenging carrion, human food scraps, and small animals, plant material forms a significant portion of their intake. Their diet shifts based on season and geographic location, reflecting what is most readily available.
Their diverse diet includes insects like beetles, grasshoppers, and caterpillars, which provide essential protein, especially during breeding seasons. Crows also hunt small mammals like mice and voles, along with reptiles and amphibians such as lizards and frogs. This wide array of food sources demonstrates their opportunistic nature.
Specific Plant Foods
Crows consume a wide variety of plant parts, concerning gardeners and farmers. Seeds and fruits can make up a large portion of their diet, sometimes nearly three-quarters of their total food intake. This includes grains like corn, wheat, and oats, often foraged from agricultural fields.
They also eat fruits and berries, including grapes, cherries, apples, and watermelons. Beyond fruits, crows consume vegetables like peas, beans, lettuce, peppers, and even entire zucchini crops. Young sprouts and seedlings are also susceptible to damage, as they may pull up newly planted corn to eat the kernels. Additionally, they consume nuts such as acorns, walnuts, and pecans, sometimes storing them for later use.
Why Crows Consume Plants
Crows consume plant matter to meet nutritional and energy requirements. Plant-based foods provide essential carbohydrates and vitamins for their daily activities and overall health. Sugars in fruits offer a quick energy source, and various plant components contribute to hydration.
Crows are opportunistic, readily taking advantage of seasonal abundance. Easily accessible crops like corn or ripening grains become attractive food sources. This adaptability allows them to survive and thrive in diverse environments where food availability may fluctuate.
Protecting Your Garden from Crows
Protecting a garden from crows requires a combination of strategies due to their intelligence and adaptability. One effective method is using physical barriers like bird netting, draped over fruit crops, shrubs, or garden beds. A four-inch mesh size is recommended, keeping larger crows out while allowing smaller birds to pass. Protecting individual corn ears with paper cups or bags after the silk has turned brown can also deter them.
Scare tactics can also be employed, though crows are quick learners and may become accustomed to static deterrents. Visual deterrents such as shiny pie tins, old CDs, Mylar tape, or Mylar balloons hung from trees can startle them. Scarecrows can be used, but their position and appearance should be changed frequently to maintain effectiveness. Motion-activated devices, such as sprinklers that spray water when movement is detected, can also deter crows.
Removing attractants is another important step. This includes securing trash bins with tight-fitting lids, covering compost piles, and avoiding leaving pet food outdoors. Regularly raking up fallen fruits and nuts also helps eliminate easy food sources. Additionally, companion planting with strong-smelling herbs like lavender or mint may deter crows. Consistency in applying these methods and varying them over time is key to successful crow deterrence.