Crows and Ravens: Coexisting with Wildlife
There is one species of raven and one species of crow in the San Diego area, and our Project Wildlife program helps hundreds of these birds each year! They belong to a family called corvids which also include birds like scrub jays and magpies. Ravens are much larger and are usually seen in pairs that mate for life, while crows are in larger and noisier groups. Young birds can be as large as their parents but can be identified by their blue/grey eyes and the pink corners of their mouth. They are highly intelligent birds!
Baby Crows or Ravens
If you find a baby crow out of the nest, immediate action should be taken. Putting the baby back in the nest is always the best option. If you are unable to put the baby back, then the animal should be taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
Juvenile Crows or Ravens
Juvenile crows are almost fully feathered, have their eyes open and can move around well on their feet. It is normal for a young crow to be on the ground at this stage in life — crows learn how to fly from the ground up!
At this stage, they are still being taken care of by their parents. If the parents are around, the juvenile crow will probably be vocal and spend a little bit more time in the open. When the parents are out foraging for food, juvenile crows tend to be quiet and hide in bushes. The only time you should intervene when you find a young crow on the ground is if they are in imminent danger of being attacked by a cat or dog or hit by a car. If you do find a crow injured or in danger, they should be taken to a licensed rehabilitator.
What To Do If You Find a Crow or Raven
- Watch the bird for an hour to see if the parents come before trying to intervene.
- If the parents don't return, keep the animal in a warm, dark and quiet place.
- Do not feed them!
- Remember that young crows and ravens are almost a large as their parents. The babies can be identified by their blue/grey eyes and the pink corners of their mouths.
- If they are fully feathered, other crows or ravens are around and there are no predators in the vicinity, it’s best to leave them alone.
When To Bring a Raven or Crow to Project Wildlife
- The bird is a baby (blue/grey eyes and pink mouth corners) and the parents are confirmed deceased or do not return.
- The baby is newly hatched and the nest cannot be found or is too high to reach.
- The baby is injured or caught by a dog or cat. A cat-caught bird should always come in because of a cat's highly infectious mouth.
- A pet or child has brought a baby from an unknown location, making reunification challenging.
- The bird is falling over to one side.
- The bird is weak or shivering.
- The bird is being attacked by other birds.
For step-by-step instructions on what to do if you find an injured or orphaned wild animal, use our Wildlife Help Hub at sdhumane.org/wildlifehelp. If you've found an injured animal and need information on where to take them, please call: 619-299-7012
