We seem to have more than the usual number of American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) here this winter. Many of Maine’s inland crows come to the coast for the winter because there usually is more accessible food here than inland.
In other seasons, these tough birds usually are territorial and hostile to strange crows. However, in winter, they roost overnight with “foreign” crows in community trees. The practice is thought to be a defensive maneuver – more eyes, ears, and beaks – against their arch enemies, the nocturnal great horned owls and other large owls that can see the crows easier in winter’s leafless trees.
It’s not only owls that these birds need to fear. They’re not protected by federal and state migratory bird laws. This can be a problem for birds that are considered by many to be pests that harm orchids, corn fields, and other birds, not to mention being loud mess-makers when they congregate near humanity.
Many states, including Maine, allow crows to be hunted for sport and pest control under regulations that apply to when and how the birds may be killed. There is no limit on the number of crows that may be shot in Maine’s designated seasons; and, hunters are allowed to shoot them here with lead shot and shotguns capable of holding more than three shells.
(Lead from ammunition and fishing tackle left in the carcasses of mammals, birds, and fish seems to be poisoning high percentages of bald and golden eagles. But, that’s a tragic story for another day.)
Leighton Archive images of Maine crows are shown here.