Feeding crows unsalted peanuts a few times a week is the simplest way to attract them to your garden throughout the summer, according to bird photographer June Hunter. Crows are among the cleverest birds you'll encounter, and befriending them is surprisingly straightforward as long as you offer the right food.
Crows Remember Human Faces and Can Become Regular Visitors
What makes crows so extraordinary is their ability to remember human faces, and if you treat them kindly, they'll often become regular visitors. Gardeners frequently appreciate crows, as these opportunistic feeders will happily munch on numerous garden pests and, during summer, help eliminate slugs, leatherjackets and even flies.
One of the most delightful reasons to feed crows is their occasional habit of leaving small tokens for humans who care for them — often shiny treasures they've discovered, such as pebbles, old coins or misplaced jewellery.
Peanuts Are the Ideal Food for Crows
Bird photographer June Hunter has revealed that gaining a crow's trust is incredibly fulfilling, and the first step is simply to put out peanuts for them. She said: "A safe bet is to feed a crow shelled peanuts. They seem to like this. But you don't want to feed crows bread because it fills them up but doesn't contain proper nutrients."
Many people put bread out for birds, but it's actually one of the worst things to give them, as it fills their stomachs without providing any nutritional benefit. This can lead to malnutrition and digestive problems, but bread can also absorb significant moisture, which can prove very harmful for birds during summer.
Peanuts are packed with calories and loaded with fats and proteins, making them a favourite among crows, as they provide a high-energy food source that keeps them satisfied without needing to forage constantly throughout the day. Crows are also natural problem-solvers and will relish the challenge of working out how to crack open peanuts using their feet.
Only Unsalted and Unflavoured Peanuts Are Safe
That said, you should only offer birds unsalted and unflavoured peanuts, preferably purchased from a pet shop or the pet section of a supermarket. Birds are unable to process salt in the same way humans do, and even a tiny amount can place excessive strain on their kidneys, potentially causing serious harm or even proving fatal.
Consistency Is Key to Building Trust
Once you've got the appropriate food, it's crucial to maintain consistency and feed crows at the same time and in the same location. Crows possess remarkable memories and will remember anyone who feeds them regularly, though they shouldn't be fed daily, as they are wild creatures and doing so can discourage their natural foraging behaviour.
It's advisable to feed crows no more than three times weekly to establish trust without creating dependency, and over time they'll recognise you and become frequent visitors to your garden.
