Support your local crow roost
A COMPLEX ISSUE
One of the responses we often hear is "Hazing crows is better than poisoning them." In response to that we say, "Absolutely!" Because, sadly, crows have been poisoned in the past and... there are MORE than two options. What we seek is a dialogue for other alternatives. NOT hazing, NOT poisoning. Instead, respectfully and curiously studying this urban-wild intersection and finding ways to coexist.
What about an Umbrella Share project? City-subsidies for business awnings? Allocating the 60K+ spent hazing for jobs for power-washing streets? Let's brain-storm truly innovative ideas that DO NO HARM.
An Expert Opinion
"I join in your concerns over attempts to move a roost . . . not only do territorial crows use this roost but migrating crows as well, probably using the roost for several years . . . I find it hard to think that harassing the crows to move doesn't have some kind of impact on their fitness at some point." ~Dr. Lisa M. Reed, Rutgers University, Researcher and author of numerous scientific studies of crow behavior.
Portlanders advocating for crows. Photo courtesy of Irene Tejatatchi Hess (instagram @tejaroxy)