Crows
INTRODUCTION
There are 2 species of crow the Carrion and the Hooded. The Carrion Crow lives
in Western and South-western Europe and parts of Central Europe. The Hooded Crow
is found in other territory including Scotland and Ireland, and is a resident
bird, except during the winter months when large flocks come to Central and
Western Europe.
CHARACTERISTICS
Crows are solitary birds seen flying alone or in pairs, except when
gathering food alongside other birds. The Carrion is completely black from beak
to tail, unlike the Hooded, which has a grey 'ash' coloured back and under
parts. The 'hood' is clearly visable close up. The Carrion can be distinguished
from the rook because it does not have white skin at the base of its bill and
its wings are less ragged. The Crow is slightly larger than the Rook yet smaller
in size than the Raven, about 18 1/2 inches (47cms), and its wing span is
95-100cms. You will recognise the Crow by its deep 'kraa' or croaking 'keerk'
sound.
HABITS
During breeding time crows inhabit overgrown woodlands, field groves and parks
that are in towns and cities.
FOOD
To find their food crows like to visit the edges of ponds, lakes and rivers. The
Carrion eats small animals, nestling birds, eggs, carrion (dead meat or
'roadkills'), insects, grubs, worms, grain and berries. The Hooded Crow will eat
similar things, but also snails and shellfish.
THE NEST
Crows build their nests in March, usually in high trees or on cliff edges.
Sometimes Hooded Crows will build their nests on the ground or in bushes. Crows
nests are made mostly of dry twigs and also mud and turf, lined with grass,
moss, sheep's wool, hair and rag. They often renovate old nests, as a new nest
will take them 8 to 10 days to build.
THE EGGS AND YOUNG BIRDS
Carrion and Hooded Crows have similar coloured eggs of bluish-green with brown
blotches. The females lay their 4-6 eggs during April and May and incubate them
for 18-21 days. For the first 5-7 days the male crow will bring food to the nest
for his female partner and young. From then on both the female and male will
take turns with gathering the food and nestling duties. When the young are
between 28-35 days old they will leave the nest and roam the countryside with
their parents.
SHOOTING
Crows have amour-plated very tough breasts. So for maximum penetration and kill
pick a point on the breast an inch lower than centre. At this aim and at a steep
angle you will miss the breast bone and get the shot you want. Also pick a low caliber
of .177, heavyweight pointed pellet (although pointed pellets are usually not so
accurate) the new types of 'field' pellets like Bisley Magnums, Air Arms Field
and Prometheus bullet shapes are fine.
Crows are most often found at their feeding places, grouping areas and roosts later in the afternoon and as darkness falls. So using a decoy owl and laying in wait for them to arrive is a great idea. A useful tip is that crows like to feed on beans, so you will find them in these fields as long as there is food there. Consultation with your local Farmer, who has given you permission to shoot on his land, will help you. If there is a rookery nearby you may see crows trying to roust the parents from their nests, when most of the other birds are away forraging, so that they can steal the rooks eggs or chicks. Do not shoot the nesting rooks at this time but should a crow land temporarily to survey then this is a good opportunity.
You may tempt a crow to come down to another dead bird. I once hid atop a pig's feed silo and shot a crow in the neighboring field. Before it had even finished twitching (a natural nervous system reaction and not a sign of life) three other crows had swooped down and started mobbing at it then pecking at it. Eggs are another temptation for them. You can make a grassy nest under a hedgerow and place a small piece of clingfilm in it. Crack open one hen's egg in the nest and place another two whole ones along side it. If you are lucky you will get crows and magpies interested, maybe even curious rooks and even more rare a Jay.
COVER
It pays to be completely covered. Wear good cammo clothing which blends with the
hiding area and make sure that you are obscured from vision above and behind as
well as front and sides.
You should pick an area for these merits:
* A convenient hide amongst trees and bushes - good visibility out is essential,
up forwards and sides, without them seeing in!
* A hedgerow or bank within range where you could lace a decoy or dummy nest.
* A tall and fairly bare tree within your rifle's range (25 - 45 yards standard
or 25 - 55 FAC power).
* Also a stealthy approach is essential. You should be able to approach unseen
before any birds are in the area.