What’s the first thing that pops in your mind when you think of what a Crow eats? Corn? Why else would a farmer have a scarecrow on their farm? They’ve been known to eat almost everything, but the question remains, what do Crows Eat?
Crows generally eat small grains and animals; they have been known to eat birds. Depending on the type, crows like to eat grains, insects, small invertebrates, and vertebrates. They cannot eat foods like beans, chocolate, tomatoes, and anything infused with garlic.
Suppose you are considering purchasing a Crow to train, or perhaps you just want to settle a pondering thought about what they eat, and not all Crows tend to eat the same thing.
Crows are recognized to be highly intelligent and resourceful throughout the animal kingdom, and for a variety of valid reasons!
Crows will compete with other backyard birds for food. In addition, food presented to attract songbirds will be appealing to crows.
Well, whatever it is, let’s find out what do crows eat?
Common Crows Feeding Habits
Crows are one of the birds that eat almost anything. Many crows diet include nuts, seeds, grains, bird eggs, reptiles, smaller birds and mammals, but certain species of Crow’s have slightly different diet preferences.
They often scavenge through human garbage while also enjoying the treats offered by a bird feeder in suburban areas.
Certain factors have to be in place before you present a baby Crow with a pile of rubbish. For instance, the type of Crow you are wondering about and their age are significant factors determining what Crow eats.
Young Crows eat softer foods and require a lot of protein; Fish Crows eat more fish than ordinary Cape Crows.
Crows are considered pests for farmers because they eat their crops like corn or wheat. However, these birds also eat pests that harm crops, so it’s a bit of a 50/50 for farmers.
Like most things, the geolocation greatly factors the diet for the Crow. Some crows who prefer woodlands to suburban areas have a diet that composes more crickets.
In one nesting season, a crow family can consume 40,000 grubs, caterpillars, armyworms, and other pests. That’s a lot of insects that many gardeners and farmers may see as nuisances. They also consume smaller bird’s eggs and dead animals.
You would have seen grows gathering, but do you know why do crows gather?
Diets for 4 Different Types of Crows
The Diet of the American Crow
The American Crow has mastered finding its own meals without the need of the average bird feeder.
This omnivorous creature has been known to eat invertebrates’ carcasses. A few of these carcasses have occasionally been fellow birds.
| Type of Food | Different Food items American Crows eat |
| Fish | Stranded fish on coastlines and riverbanks [Carrion] |
| Fruit | Apple Cherries Grape |
| Human Food [Processed Foods] | Kitchen food scraps Meat scraps Farmland Produces Garbage Hard-Boiled Eggs |
| Plant-Based [Legumes, Vegetables] | Corn Peas |
| Poultry | Bird Carcasses Nestlings Stolen Eggs |
| Grains, nuts, and seeds. | Acorns Almonds Corn Hazelnuts Peanuts [Unsalted] Pumpkin Walnuts Wheat |
| Insects | Beetles Crickets Grasshoppers Mealworms Millipedes Spiders |
| Reptiles | Snakes |
| Small Invertebrates | A wide variety of Worms [Depends on where they’re found]. |
| Small Vertebrates | Frogs Mice Small Rabbits |
The Diet of the Cape Crow or Black Crow
The Cape Crow is commonly found across southern Africa, particularly the farmlands and semi-arid shrublands or savannahs.
Their beak is a lot slimmer than the average American Crow, an evolutionary hack to help penetrate the ground to search for insects.
Most crows aren’t too picky eaters and are more than happy to feed on a wide variety of different foods
| Type of Food | Typical items found in the American Crow’s diet |
| Fruit | Apple Cherries Grape |
| Human Food [Processed Foods] | Kitchen scraps Farmland Produces Garbage Hard-Boiled Eggs |
| Plant-Based [Legumes, Vegetables] | Bulbs Corn Peas |
| Poultry | Birds [can kill other birds that weighs up to a pound] Bird Carcasses Chicks Nestlings Stolen Eggs |
| Grains, nuts, and seeds. | Acorns Almonds Corn Hazelnuts Peanuts [Unsalted] Walnuts Wheat |
| Insects | Beetles Crickets Grasshoppers Mealworms Millipedes Spiders So many more depends on geolocation. |
| Reptiles | Small Reptiles Snakes |
| Small Invertebrates | A wide variety of Worms [Depends on where they’re found]. |
| Small Vertebrates | Frogs Mice Nestlings |
The Diet of the Fish Crow
As the name suggests, the small Fish Crow finds its meal alongside the coastline.
They’re native to the United States’ southeast coastline, but they also occupy spaces like river valleys, woodlands, and farms.
Here we’ll go over the extremely dynamic diet of crows and why their preferred foods actually change from place to place, even at different times of year.
| Type of Food | Typical items found in the Fish Crow diet |
| Fish | Carrion Crabs Crayfish Fish |
| Fruit | Berries |
| Human Food [Processed Foods] | Farmland Produces Hard-Boiled Eggs Kitchen Waste Garbage |
| Mollusks | Clams Mussels |
| Plant-Based [Legumes, Vegetables] | Corn Peas |
| Grains, nuts, and seeds. | Acorns Almonds Corn Hazelnuts Peanuts [Unsalted] Walnuts Wheat |
| Insects | Beetles Crickets Grasshoppers Mealworms Millipedes Spiders So many more depends on geolocation. |
| Reptiles | Stolen Turtle Eggs |
| Small Vertebrates | Frogs Nestlings |
The Diet of the Pied Crow, or the Small Crow-Size Raven
Pied Crows are often referred to as a ‘Small Crow-Size Raven’ due to their exciting family line.
Another species of Crow that soars the African Sky, the white-chested Pied Crow, is a nifty survivor with a diet similar to that of the average American Crow.
Except for the fact that these crows are capable of killing a fruitbat for dinner.
| Type of Food | Typical items found in the American Crow’s diet |
| Fruit | Apple Cherries Grape |
| Human Food [Processed Foods] | Hard-Boiled Eggs Kitchen scraps Farmland Produces Garbage |
| Plant-Based [Legumes, Vegetables] | Bulbs Corn Peas |
| Poultry | Birds [can kill a bird that weighs up to a pound] Bird Carcasses Chicks Nestlings Stolen Eggs |
| Grains, nuts, and seeds. | Acorns Almonds Corn Hazelnuts Peanuts [Unsalted] Walnuts Wheat |
| Insects | Beetles Crickets Grasshoppers Mealworms Millipedes Spiders So many more depends on geolocation. |
| Reptiles | Small Reptiles Snakes |
| Small Invertebrates | A wide variety of Worms [Depends on where they’re found]. |
| Small Vertebrates | Bats Frogs Mice Nestlings |
Is Processed Food Even Okay for Crows to Eat?
Look, Crows are mighty and durable birds. Their intimidating all-black demeanor is backed by their sketchy habits to survive and thrive in modern society.
Their bodies have adapted to eat some nasty things, so if you offer a crow, you’re nursing a bit of processed food; just think that they could be picking apart rubbish at landfills.
What Do Northwestern Crows Eat?
The northwestern crow consumes a wide variety of insects, crabs, fish, nuts, berries, seeds, shellfish, bird’s eggs, garbage, and carrion.
The northern Pacific coast is where you’ll find the northwestern crow. This crow generally lives in cities and along the tide line. It may also be found in open woodlands and forests.
Types of Foods to Never Feed a Crow
Before we conclude that Crows are the most indestructible bird out there and that nothing can stop them, unfortunately, some food items can be fatal.
So, if you’re planning on feeding a Crow, please make sure you familiarize yourself with the following no-go fruits, vegetables, and human processed food:
Fruits & Vegetables
Even though Crow’s have plenty of fruit on their dietary plan, the apple seeds themselves are toxic for them, so avoid adding that to the bird feeder!
Other examples of no-go Fruit Include:
- Avocadoes
- Tomatoes
- Onions
- Mushrooms
Human Food [Processed Foods]
One easily overlooked potential hazard for crows is garlic-infused products. Garlic contains the chemical Allicin, which causes weakness and potentially anemia in birds.
Some crows enjoy the occasional sausage or a slice of ham, which is entirely acceptable, but it has to be in moderation.
Other examples of no-go Human Food Include:
- Caffeine-infused products
- Cheese
- Chocolate
- Honey
If you have some leftover dry cat food, soak them in water, and then you will be able to feed them to the Crows. They have to be soaked beforehand to ensure that the Crow won’t choke on the dry food.
Even though breadcrumbs are a typical snack for the average bird in the park, it fills their stomach when birds consume bread pieces.
Still, it doesn’t have the needed nutritional value to fuel them. Be cautionary to feed your Crows any Beans; it’s commonly overlooked.
Conclusion – What Do Crows Eat?
Crows feed on many things, and greedy is definitely amongst the general references to their nature. It’s safe to say that Crows eat small amphibians, small mammals, other bird eggs, various sorts of fish. They also eat insects, fruits, grains, and reptiles. The ratio of each food group is greatly determined by the type of Crow.
Crows should not be fed any beans, tomatoes, onions, chocolates, products that are mixed with honey or infused with caffeine, and so forth.
Crows eat close to anything, but we have to remember that there are some foods that they cannot eat. You don’t want to be that person who kills their pet Crow for giving them the wrong food.
Crows of all species are adaptable, opportunistic omnivores that will consume just about anything from insects, arthropods, and red meat from animals or carrion to all types of nuts, seeds, vegetables, and other plant materials.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What can crows eat or what are crows favorite foods?
Crows have a varied diet and will eat just about anything they can get their hands on. This includes other birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, carrion, garbage, and even food scraps from humans.
Fruits and nuts make up a large part of the crow’s diet in the fall and winter months. Some of their favorites include acorns, berries, grapes, and cherries.
Crows will also eat insects, earthworms, and grubs. In urban areas, crows often scavenge for food in trash cans and dumpsters.
Is it OK to feed crows?
According to several bird lovers, you can feed crows. Some people do it because they enjoy seeing the birds up close, while others do it to provide a source of food for the birds during winter months.
If you choose to feed crows, be sure to use only fresh, clean food that is free of toxins. Avoid feeding them processed foods or foods that contain pesticides.
Also, make sure to place the food in an area where other animals cannot reach it so that the crows can eat without competition.
What can I feed the crows in my yard?
Crows are not particularly picky eaters, so you can offer them a variety of foods. Some crow-friendly options include:
- Cooked or raw meat (chicken, beef, pork, etc.)
- Fish
- Cheese
- Fruits and vegetables
- Nuts and seeds
- Dog or cat food
- Popcorn or other grains
Keep in mind that crows tend to eat whatever is easiest and most available to them, so offering a variety of foods will ensure that they get the nutrition they need.
You should also avoid offering crows food that is spoiled or mouldy, as this can make them sick.
What do baby Crows eat?
Crows are omnivorous birds, which means that they eat both plants and animals. The majority of their diet consists of invertebrates, such as insects and earthworms, but they will also eat small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
Baby crows typically eat the same food as their parents. One study found that the average adult crow eats approximately 454 grams (just under 1 pound) of food per day.
This amount is divided among multiple meals throughout the day; a single crow may eat up to 21 separate times in a 24-hour period!
Given this high rate of food consumption, it’s not surprising that crows spend a large portion of their time foraging for food. Wild berries are simple to eat, but they aren’t the only foods available in nature.
Sources:
American Crow
FAQs about Crows
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