England has eight species of crows (corvids). From Cornish choughs (above) to more common carrion crows (the ones poking around your lawn, taking an interest in everything that moves). Let’s meet all of them (and how to tell the difference), then learn how we can help these most intelligent of birds.
All UK crows are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. You can contact National Wildlife Crime Unit (anonymous if preferred) to report any concerns.
Crows often visit gardens, so learn how to stop birds flying into windows. They don’t tend to use nest boxes as they are too large. Keep cats inside at dawn and dusk, when birds are likely feeding (and avoid wooden birdfeeders, that cats can claw up).
Carrion Crows are big heavy birds with blunt black beaks, usually found alone or in pairs. Like most crows, they live on seeds, fruits, eggs, young birds and carrion (carcasses).
Hooded Crows look similar to carrion crows, but have grey backs. They are only really found in Scotland and Ireland.
Rooks are also big heavy crows, but they have purple feathers and pale grey longer beaks, with ruffled ‘baggy shorts’. They are more social and likely to be found nesting in mature trees in the countryside. They have good memories, often returning to food they have stored earlier on.
Ravens are less common. They are bigger than other crows with metallic feathers and wedge-shaped tails. They are very playful, often flying upside-down for fun. Young ravens drop sticks mid-air, to fly and catch them.
These are the birds at the Tower of London. They have their wings clipped to stop them flying off, though the tower claims this is to keep them safe and well-fed, as they have never lived in the wild.
Jackdaws are rare smaller crows with short beaks, grey ‘hoods’ behind their head and pale blue-grey eyes (young birds have darker eyes). They often nest on rooftops and chimneys with noisy chicks. They can also often be found nesting in churches, trees and on cliff ledges.
Jackdaws are often seen swaggering about, as if they’re carrying a couple of radiators. You can be walking along and a jackdaw will look you right in the eye, like he’s reading your mind and make you feel slightly unsettled before flying off. Matt Sewell
Magpies actually have some purple feathers (they are not just black-and-white). These small birds look bigger, due to their very long tails. Known for their rattling calls, it’s not true that magpies like shiny jewellery (they are more likely to steal your sandwich!) Another myth is the ‘one for sorrow, two for joy’ belief. This comes from an ancient nursery rhyme, and has no meaning. In China to see one magpie is good luck!
Choughs are unique crows that are easy to spot as they have red beaks and legs. Previously endangered, these birds are now thriving thanks to conservation efforts, and can also be found in Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
Choughs use their long bills to eat beetle larvae and leatherjackets. They have a loud ‘chee-ow’ song, and are mostly found on cliff faces and rock ledges, but also nest in empty buildings.
Keep at least 50 metres away from coastal birds (if they fly away, this wastes energy that could be spent feeding).
Jays are brown birds, with beautiful blue patches and ‘black moustaches’. Mostly found in woodland, you are more likely to hear these noisy chatterboxes in the park, giving out loud screeches as they search for acorns, fruits, beetles and caterpillars. They will be hiding under their ‘black moustaches’ as they fly between trees.
What Makes Crows Intelligent?
With the biggest brain-to-body ratio of any bird, crows are one of just four species (along with humans, chimpanzees, orangutans) that can make tools. They have been known to craft ‘hooks’ from twigs, to fish out creatures from tree crevices.
They also have been seen dropping stones to raise the level of water (so food floats closer). And dropping nuts onto roads, waiting for cars to run over them, then flying down to retrieve their dinner!
Crows are (mostly) sociable birds, that often ‘teach skills’ to other birds. They also watch and learn. Say if one crow learns how to access food from a new source, the other birds will do the same. Crows can also warn each other of threats, and recognise different faces.
Although mostly solitary, crows are even known to hold ‘funerals’ for dead birds. They peck dead birds, ward away predators trying to eat the corpse, and even make cawing noises (like a hymn).
Got Crows Nesting In Your Chimney?
Signs of crows nesting in chimneys are twigs, grass, leaves and hair falling into fire grates (use gloves to remove bird droppings). If birds are already nesting, you must legally leave them until they’ve flown the nest, so don’t light fires. For stuck birds, RSPB says to shine a bright torch up the chimney at night, then birds will fly towards ‘daylight’ (catch them in a sheet, to safely release outside).
To prevent birds nesting in chimneys, be sure they have flown the nest (likely winter, though pigeons can nest year-round). Then have a sweep clean your chimney, and fit a chimney cowl or chimney pot (install correctly, so oxygen can circulate). For gas fires, you’ll need a qualified fitter to move your fireplace away from the chimney opening, to conduct any work.
How to Help Orphaned or Injured Crows
If you find a chick, observe for up to an hour (likely parents are watching and feeding). If they don’t return, place in a high tree and observe.
If the bird is injured, the parents don’t return or the bird has few/no feathers (or is too young to stay in the tree), call your local wildlife rescue.
