What do ravens and crows eat?

Ravens and crows have a very varied diet. On their menu is not only plant, but also animal food. Read here what ravens and crows like to eat.

Ravens or Crows?

Both are black birds and difficult to tell apart. A key differentiator is the size, where Crows are significantly smaller than ravens. Both belong to the family of corvids (Corvidae). Together they form the genus Corvus.

Eat almost anything

The food spectrum of Corvids is very diverse and Consists of both animal and plant-based foods. You are among the omnivores, although the composition of the diet can vary between species. For example, the common raven is a typical carnivore and scavenger. Even if these birds not particularly popular, they are

very valuable to our ecosystem. This is how they get rid of carrion and the undigested parts in animal feces. They don't even stop at people's leftovers. However, there are other sources of their food in nature. This is how ravens and crows eat

• seeds and cereals
• berries, fruits, nuts
• small insects such as caterpillars, worms and spiders
• amphibians: toads and frogs
• reptiles: lizards, smaller snakes
• small mammals: rats, shrews, mice, Rabbits
• near the coast and water: molluscs, fish, crustaceans

Animal food is particularly important when rearing young animals in the spring. The parents then feed their young mainly with worms, insects and other small animals. The corvids are also said to be partly responsible for the decimation of the native bird population, since they also sometimes roost during the breeding season fledglings and eggs wolf down. However, this proportion is relatively small. The reduction in bird species is more likely due to habitat changes and other natural enemies such as cats, marten or squirrel.

A notice: Ravens and crows tend to stock up. Excess food is divided between different hiding places. Thanks to their good memory, they can still find it under a thick blanket of snow.

feed ravens

Crows and ravens are not only happy about an additional source of food in winter, but also in summer. Feeding is allowed and also not dangerous for humans and the environment. However, the animals will then always return to the feeding station in search of food. You should consider that.

In addition to nutritious treats, drinking water should also not be forgotten. Although ravens and crows will eat just about anything, the choice of food must be done carefully. The birds like to accept the following diet:

• local berries and fruits such as grapes, pears, apples
• local vegetables: carrots, pumpkin, kohlrabi
• cracked hazelnuts, walnuts and chestnuts
• halved boiled eggs in shell
• also worms, insects
• bird fat food
• corn curd

On the other hand, the following are unsuitable for feeding:

• sausage and cheese
• pasta
• raw and cooked meat
• exotic fruits like bananas or papaya

Feeding Tips

A few things should be considered when feeding, so that ravens and crows actually get something from the additional food. For example, the food must not simply be thrown on the ground, otherwise there is a risk that rodents will be attracted:

• choose feeding places inaccessible to rodents and pigeons
• no interference from vehicles, people or pets
• look for raised places such as tables, chairs or wall ledges
• alternatively hang up wicker baskets
• best feeding time: late afternoon or just before dawn

Tip: In winter, care must be taken to ensure that vegetables and fruit with a high water content do not freeze.

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