Most American Crows here are still maintaining family territories that they defend against other crows. Unlike most birds, Crow youngsters often stay with their parents to defend the territory and help raise the next brood.
Soon, the Crow atomic family territoriality will disappear and those birds that don’t migrate will congregate. Many inland Crows will come to the coast in late summer and fall, seemingly sensing that impenetrable snow will not cover food-rich tidal zones.
The wintering Crow families will create roosting areas and huddle there during the cold nights. Why? The leading theory is that Crows sense their increased vulnerability in leafless trees.
Their primary predators (other than humans) are Great Horned Owls and other large raptors. Owls can see and attack Crows better during winter nights. The more Crow eyes and sharp beaks available, the better that species can warn and defend itself in winter. (Brooklin, Maine)