have anybody raised crows in a cage or nest near your rollers...I just wounder will they protect them from BOP...security guards..
---------- I am never oppressed by the narrow confines of my existence.
Last Edited by on Mar 28, 2010 11:01 AM
Sunflower
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626 posts
Mar 28, 2010
11:00 AM
I read on another forum that some homer guys claim that goose decoys will keep them away. Haven't tried it yet but I'll try anything to keep them away at this point. ---------- Keep em Spinning Joe
Oldfart
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1694 posts
Mar 28, 2010
11:39 AM
I have two nests of resident crows near. They do attack any hawk they see and drive it off. There are just too darn many hawks. While the crows are busy with one it's mate or another hawk will move in. I have tested the air with a few birds for the last month, flying every two weeks. I lost a bird everytime. Thom
I have a lot crows and hawks, so I don't know if they help or not. I have seen the crows chase them, but like Thom said just two many hawks. ---------- MJ
Oldfart
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1695 posts
Mar 28, 2010
3:27 PM
Joe, I think there will be hawks in our future for a very long time. We have to learn how to deal with them in the only legal way we have, avoidance. I barely finished last year with enough good birds to make any headway but even a little progress is better then not having my rollers.
MJ , sadly, I am right. The crows help, so I feed them all the stale bread they can eat. I have heard stories about crows attacking rollers but have never seen them even chase mine. They have saved a few for me by harassing the Cooper hen until she left long enough for me to get my birds in.
I just don't know of any way other then just flying smart.
I know the crows help me keeping the hawks away but we can not keep crows as pets i checked. ---------- Justin
Ballrollers
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2383 posts
Mar 28, 2010
7:05 PM
The problem is that crows usually are seen attacking the larger broad wing BOPs like redtails, that are not as great a rsik to our rollers. I don't think they (crows) ever even see the Coopers! And the Coopers will easily out-manuever the crows, ayway. Not so for the big broadwings. They have trouble eluding the crows. Cliff
I have seen crows chase the local Coopers many times. If end up with any rancid meet in my fridge, I throw it on my roof in the early morning and the crows take it (not at night as you don't know what you will attract). Like Thom said, if they are resident they will protect the area. Many, many of my homer friends feed crows and have even built special stands to do so. Goose decoys worked for a time for me, but the BOP will eventually catch on. Keep in mind decoys can be expensive too.
For the last 2 years I have had a flock of "crows" around my area and have seem with my own eyes chase the Redtails and Coopers away. My attacks have been down to a minimal. I just don't know how to keep them around all the time....
I have seen crows go after coopers and redtails which helps, but I've also seen crows when the henry comes. As soon as it makes a noise I've never seen a crow fly faster in the other direction.
Interesting video johnjay. I've always had an interest in the "crows" dealing with the BOP. I've stated several times before that when the "crows" are around I "don't" have a problem with any BOP. Looks like my "crow project" is in progress.
Crows are protected under state and federal law, thus you cannot "possess" them in a cage to raise for release or for pigeon protection. You CAN buy exotic crows at about $2,000.00 a copy. They are beautiful and awesome, but I don't think you would put them out to hassle the hawks and possibly get taken.
I have 8 crows in my yard every day, and they do hassle the hawks and usually drive them away. Also, as surprising as it may seem, a Mockingbird will take on a hawk. In my yard the Crows and Mockers join forces to drive the hawks off.
I provide dry dog food for the crows to "steal" and also toss all the unwanted and unfertile pigeon eggs in the yard for them.
If you give them a reason to be in your yard, then they will be there and WILL chase hawks away.
It's a big female Cooper's that terrorizes my yard.
Terry
Last Edited by on Apr 07, 2010 7:46 PM
nicksiders
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4295 posts
Apr 05, 2010
5:31 AM
Both ---------- A True Friend Is Hard To Find ------------------------------------------ Nick Siders
rookie from ct
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255 posts
Apr 05, 2010
3:37 PM
Crows are not really protected are they we can hunt them with no limet 6 months out of the year.That is in the state of Ct.Dennis
Guys, just because you can hunt them doesn't mean you can legally "possess" them. All wild birds in the U.S. EXCEPT English House Sparrows, European Starlings, and Feral Pigeons are protected under state and federal laws, and you CANNOT have them as pets or captives without permits.
IE: You can't legally have a Mallard Duck, a Canada Goose, a Mourning Dove, a Mockingbird, a Crow, a House Finch, a Raven, a Robin, a Gold Finch .. the list is endless .. it's everything except what I already posted .. sparrows, starlings, and feral pigeons. Domestic pigeons are a bit different as they are classified as domestic fowl or domestic pets in most areas.
Check it out .. Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Title 50 CFR.
There are the non native crows/ravens that a few people breed that you can buy for a reasonable price of $900-2000. These are much bigger then the American crow, more menacing. The African pied Crow is one of them. So if you have a club and want to raise some funds towards a bright future in guard-ravens, it would be a great opportunity to see if raising your own exotic crows would help in your struggle with the BOP. IF I had the time, I would love to work with crows. ---------- Flying in someone else's backyard: Portable Kits
