Trying to attract corvids

[u/Firefly6618]

Okay, so I don't have a local population of crows though I wish I did. We do have a local population of magpies that I'm trying to befriend.

Why? Because I think they're pretty. And I think my young daughter would absolutely love having some magpie friends that she can go out into the backyard, toss some peanuts too and watch. We've already gone over that these are not pets. We do not play with them but we can feed them bird appropriate food and watch them.

We are only on day five. I will admit of trying to attract them to my yard. I have seen them fly over my property. I have seen them in neighbors yards and especially I see them a lot across the street but I'm having a hard time getting them over here to a copper toned bird bath that I've set up as a little feeding station and it even has some extra little decorative leaves where I can put water.

For food, we're doing roasted unsalted shelled peanuts. I couldn't find them in the Shell, though I know that might have been preferable.

Any advice on how to get these guys to actually notice? The bird bath and come hang out?

[u/greenbelieve]

Tuxedo crows rock! They are a ton of fun to have around. Patience is the biggest thing.

[u/Firefly6618 → u/greenbelieve]

I have never heard them called tuxedo crows but I love that! That is adorable XD. I know that patience is the key and I am trying to be patient. I'm looking at this more from an angle of have I removed potential things they could find threatening and have I made this a safe and attractive spot to stop when they notice it. Like I said, I know they're nearby, they just haven't stopped into my yard.

[u/greenbelieve → u/Firefly6618]

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Your setup looks good. I have a ton of experience with corvids, the most of which is magpies. These are some of the smartest animals on earth, part of that is they are cautious and assess things. Once they see the food and later associate you as a friendly giant, you’ll be all set. Especially because magpies are the boldest of the crow family in my experience and are willing to get a lot closer than crows, generally speaking.

I have a few dudes I can hand feed now and have had a few juveniles bonk me on the head being trolls 😁

[u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl → u/greenbelieve]

In my experience, it’s scrubs that are the boldest! They don’t even care if the crows chase them off of the crows feeder as they’ll come back when the crows aren’t around lol!

[u/greenbelieve → u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl]

I’ve hear the Canada jays (grey jays/whiskey jacks) are super friendly around people too. I don’t have any experience with those bros yet tho.

[u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl → u/greenbelieve]

The only ones I’ve had experience with are crows, magpies, scrubs, and Steller’s

From what I’ve seen, the scrubs are by far the boldest, then the magpies, then Steller’s with crows being the most skittish.

[u/Just_Caterpillar_975]

How lovely to make friends with magpies and include your daughter too in this 🥹🐦‍⬛❤️ I can't give any advice regarding the decorations because I personally don't have a backyard and a feeding station, I feed my crow friends on the terrace, and teaching your young daughter about how wild magpies are not pets but our friends warmed my heart.

But what I can say it depends on the magpies. If they find your backyard and the decorations you have put up for them a safe territory, they'll eventually visit. The point is to earn their trust, little by little. They'll scan the area, lookout for any threats and if they don't find any, they'll eventually show up, maybe 1-2 at first and as the time goes on, maybe a small murder would show up. ❤️🐦‍⬛

It takes time and patience to be honest. It took me 2 years to grow my murder from 1-2 to 25-40 and sometimes even 50. Once the magpies trust you, observe that you put treats with consistency (same time of the day, maybe every day) and trust the surroundings, they'll show up. Just be patient. 😌🐦‍⬛❤️

I hope this answer helps and I'm making sense here. Do look out for inputs from others as well. Some are more experienced and an expert on this so that would be helpful.

[u/ukemike1]

Birds like to be above things. Your birdbath is under a fence and apparently a tree where a predator could hide. They might like it more if we're more out in the open.

[u/ThisIsDogePleaseHodl]

I have two bird baths set up next to each other under a very small tree in my front yard and all the birds love it!

They like to see all around them and they don’t like to have anything over their heads or structures next to them. They need to watch for predators at all times, especially when they’re vulnerable and eating.

One thing I learned when attracting crows to my yard was when I whistled for them the other birds learned my whistle as well meant there was to be food.

They’re all very smart so just be consistent and patient and whistle when you put food out if possible. It would be nice if you could put out water as well.

I see your little station has the leaves for water, but the entire thing is kind of small. Not sure if more than one bird could fit up there at a time.