A dangerous bird – a crow: how to protect yourself from an attack

Though they are smart birds, crows can occasionally act aggressively, particularly when they feel threatened or are defending their nests. Even though they don’t happen often, their attacks can be frightening and even dangerous for people and animals.

By knowing why crows attack and how to defend yourself, you can lessen the likelihood of a confrontation. Everybody’s safety can be ensured by taking easy steps to keep an interaction from becoming hostile.

This post will discuss the causes of crow hostility and offer helpful advice on how to defend yourself from a defensive crow if it happens to cross your path.

What we know about crows

Usually found inside city limits, gray crows can also occasionally be seen nesting black ones. Both birds are rather large:

• length – 40-50 cm;
• wing – 30-40 cm, wingspan – 80-100 cm;
• weight — 400–750 g.

The crow is a large bird of prey.

They inhabit almost every place in flocks, avoiding only the most densely forested, mountainous, or treeless areas. They hunt small rodents as they are predatory birds. They coexist peacefully with people and subsist on food scraps and carrion. Since they clear landfills of a lot of decaying debris, they are seen as orderlies on the one hand. However, they are also carriers of the infections that they contract there.

Crows migrate, as ornithologists have discovered. When severe frosts arrive, people who are residing in the northern regions relocate southward. However, because crows are a constant within city limits, we are oblivious to this.

Higher up in the tree crowns than elsewhere on Earth, crows construct their nests. These can include parks, squares, forests, and independently growing trees. They gather in large groups and construct their nests close to other flock members, occasionally with multiple families per tree.

Crows nest in the tops of trees.

Once I observed with my own eyes the construction of a crow"s nest. It was at the end of April. I must say that the day was already drawing to an end, which surprised me especially, apparently, for crows it is not necessary to take on serious business in the morning. I was sitting on a bench in the park when my attention was drawn to the cracking of branches overhead. For a long time I could not understand what was happening – there was no wind. And then I noticed: a crow was sitting on the practically still bare branches of a tree, breaking off a branch with its beak (quite long, at least 40-50 cm), flying to a neighboring tree and sticking it somewhere, and then returning to "my" tree for a new one. The construction was at the very beginning, since only a few minutes later I noticed a cluster of branches on a neighboring tree (crow nests look untidy from the outside, like a bundle brushwood). What struck me most was the strength of the crow"s beak: with my not very good eyesight, I could clearly see the branch being broken off, that is, it was not at all thin.

Impacts these birds’ intelligence, which places them among the highest in this category when compared to other feathered species. Crows are thought to possess mental abilities similar to those of humanoids because they are able to create their own goals in addition to using any tools to accomplish them.

Why are crows attacking

March and April are the months when the nest is built. The female then lays three to five eggs and trims them. It is fed by the male and occasionally replaced. Hatching chicks mature enough in May and June to begin learning to fly, but they also frequently tumble out of their nests.

Here, the crows display the full force of their maternal instincts. Even if they are unable to assist the cub directly, they will take great care to keep him safe from any potential threats. As a result, individuals (along with dogs and cats) pretend to be approaching the falling chick, occasionally failing to notice it at all. In such a situation, the mother or father will use their beak and claws, among other tools, to try to eliminate the enemy. Frequently, additional flock members soar in to assist them.

It is very challenging to repel even a single bird.

It is very hard to repel even one bird. Even though it can’t kill someone, it can do a great deal of harm, particularly if the suspect is a young child.

Crows are reported to possess the ability to recall the face of an individual who has injured a chick, and to target him at a later time, on a different day, when they deem it appropriate to exact revenge.

Crows stop attacking people and become completely uninterested in bipeds once the chicks are able to fly on their own, which usually happens towards the end of June or later. However, they may still steal something appealing from the balcony.

How to protect yourself

Usually, when a crow or group of them attacks unexpectedly, the victim is not even aware that he is in danger. Thus, let us first discuss what should never be done in advance of an attack, and then we will look at how to repel the birds that have already flown in.

Preventing an attack

Preparation is the key to averting an attack. In the unlikely event that crows are present in your yard, you won’t likely miss this event. They get together for a "meeting" every morning and evening, and everyone in the vicinity gets wind of it through their loud croaking. Crow nests are also easily visible in the tree crowns in the early spring.

Now that you are aware that an attack could occur, make the following realization for yourself and your kids:

• In May-June, you need to be especially careful and go around crow nesting sites by another route (if possible).
• Never look at crow nests during this period out of curiosity, standing under a tree – this can serve as a danger signal.
• If you notice a fallen chick, under no circumstances should you approach it, and especially not pick it up. Parents always watch the kids and will help them if they can, but they see you as an enemy during this period (kind words and explanations will not help – these are not cats or dogs, crows do not listen to intonation).

Crows attack humans because of a chick that has fallen out of the nest.

Men can approach the crow within 1.5 meters, women can approach within 1 meter, and children can approach within half a meter. It doesn’t attack until after that. When a bird defends its young, something like this occurs. Consequently, it is best to avoid going anywhere near crow chicks during May and June when they are becoming adept at navigating the city’s streets. Nonna Valentinovna Goncharenko, head of the zoological and ecological department of the Moscow City Station of Young Naturalists 2019/05/27 – Https://tailytales.ru/37115/

We defend ourselves

Given the sudden nature of the crows’ attack, natural emotions in this scenario would be fear, panic, and confusion. It is recommended by ornithologists to observe the crows "eye to eye" rather than turning away, despite the fact that this is very challenging to accomplish (you will have to overcome the instinctive desire to turn your back on the enemy). Observe these guidelines to exit the fight with the fewest losses:

• Grab any stick and raise it above your head – the crow is smart, but not that smart, it will attack the end of the stick.
• If you have a hood and a hat, pull them up tighter, protecting your head as much as possible.
• If you have a child with you, protect him from the crows by placing him behind you (if you are facing the crows) or in front (if the crows are attacking you from behind), the child is shorter than you, and if you place him close to you, he will be safe.
• If you have an umbrella, open it and cover yourself with it. Do not press the dome to your head – the crow attacks your top point, it has long claws and a beak, tearing the umbrella, it should not reach you.
• In any case, move away from the place of attack, if there are doors of shops and entrances – run there.

The most crucial thing is to avoid waving an umbrella, a stick, or your arms. The crows become even more enraged at this point because they believe the enemy is resisting and is determined to capture the chick no matter what. While screaming is not the best course of action in this circumstance, it is reasonable to call for assistance.

Where to go

In the event of an attack, rescuers are the only service that can effectively assist (call 112). But no one will destroy crows’ nests or shoot them. Placing a chick in a nest to calm the parents is the only thing they can do to assist.

All other services will only take action to keep things from getting worse. For instance, you can request tree trimming services in the winter or early spring by notifying the city administration in writing that the reason for the trees’ appearance is crow attacks.

In the unfortunate event that you find yourself in the crows’ grasp, remember to get medical attention and have your condition monitored for two to three weeks following the incident. Remember that these birds, like rodents (rats, mice), feed on waste dumps and can carry diseases like rabies.

Video: what to do when attacked by crows

Although dealing with hostile crows can be unsettling, there are steps you can take to lessen your chances of being attacked. It can greatly help to remain composed, stay away from areas where they nest, and avoid provoking them.

If you are often in close proximity to crows, you might want to protect yourself by wearing a hat or carrying an umbrella. Without endangering the birds, you can stay safer by taking a few basic precautions.

Recall that crows frequently attack to defend their young or out of fear, so understanding their behavior will help you prevent conflict. You can live in harmony with the crows if you honor their space.

Particularly during nesting season, crows can be aggressive, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, avoid areas where they congregate, and use basic deterrents like waving your arms or using umbrellas to protect yourself from an attack. Remaining calm and backing away is usually the best course of action when a crow displays aggressive behavior.

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