Birding/Crows

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Expert: - 6/2/2008


Question
I have several Crows that are leaving their droppings all over my back yard.  I have a Deck with a Spa, and they are leaving the droppings all over the Spa Cover and patio furniture also.  I have placed two dolls by the furniture to act as a sort of scarecrow, and this works, but they just fly overhead sometimes and leave the droppings.  They will bot land near the scarecrows, but go on the other side of them.  Also, now they come with the droppings in their mouth and leave them.  Is this a habit to have the droppings in their mouth?  I have never had this problem before.  Do you also know of any way to stop this?  Thank You, Bill

Answer
If they are coming with droppings in their mouth, then these droppings are actual fecal sacs produced by thier young. The adults are moving the youngs' droppings to keep the nest clean. This behavior will stop when the young leave the nest - another week or two.

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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