Which Crow Breeds Are Legal Pets?
Why are crows not good pets?
How can I get permission to restore crow?
How much is a crow?
Can crows be tamed?
Are crows smarter than cats?
Crows are one of the most recognizable and common birds in the world. These gregarious species thrive in flocks in the wild, but do people keep them as pets, and more importantly, is it legal to keep crows as pets?
Crows are one of several birds regulated by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918, which makes it illegal to keep a crow as a pet in the United States. It is also illegal to harm or harass birds bound by the treaty.
Under the MBTA, there are certain circumstances that allow for the temporary care of crows. If you find a sick or injured bird, or an abandoned chick, you can obtain permission to place the crow in your care until it fully recovers. However, there are certain regulations and requirements that you must meet to obtain one of these licenses.
Notably, the MBTA covers crow species native to the United States. There are several non-native species that are kept and sold as pets.
These are legal in the US, but whether owning one is a good idea is another matter. We will discuss these species later in this article.
We will also discuss the specifics of obtaining a permit in case you come across an injured wild crow and wish to rehabilitate it.
Keeping Crows as Pets in the UK
In the UK, government law regarding the keeping of wild birds states that “You may not keep any wild bird (or its eggs or nest) unless you can prove it was legally caught or killed.‘
Generally speaking, the only time people keep or take in wild birds in the UK is when they are not suitable for release. But you need to be able to prove that this is the case.
Reasons for this include:
- with permission
- Gathered from the wild and preserved as it is not suitable for release
- Found dead or accidental death, such as a road kill
When keeping any wild birds it’s a good idea to check whether you need a permit to do so – more information can be found on the UK government website.
It is illegal to keep native crow species as pets in the US and UK
Which Crow Breeds Are Legal Pets?
Crows can be raised without a wildlife rehabilitator.
There are several species of crows that are legal to keep as pets. Because they are not native to the United States, they are not protected by the MBTA. These species include piebald crows and white-necked crows.
These birds are much like our native crows in character. They just look slightly different.
Pet crow species are difficult to come by because they usually come from breeders. It’s very unlikely that you’ll walk into an exotic pet store and find a crow.
However, being hard to find a bird isn’t the hardest part of keeping one of these birds as a pet. Before you decide you need one, you should first determine whether it will be a suitable companion.
piebald crow
white-necked crow
Why are crows not good pets?
Crows are great birds. Beautiful, smart, gregarious, vocal, and, well, wild. Despite attempts to domesticate some species, none have really succeeded. While one can certainly understand the appeal of having a crow mate, it’s best not to keep one in captivity. They are not suitable as pets.
Since crows are more intelligent than other birds, they are not well adapted to captivity. These birds are easily stressed when not allowed to fly freely, so they cannot be kept in cages. Crows that are stressed in captivity can also be quite destructive and may exhibit aggression.
The best setup for captive crows is a large aviary that provides enough space for the crow to fly and hop around on the ground. These structures can be costly, and birds are still unlikely to adapt to the environment.
As you may know, crows are also good at calling. You might temporarily enjoy the barking of a wild crow outside your window, but keeping a crow as a pet is another story. Their frequent vocalizations can get old quickly.
Crows are also extremely social animals. They need companionship to live happy, fulfilling lives. Although this species can bond with humans, they should have the company of their own kind.
Crows are very intelligent, which is one of the reasons why they don’t adapt well to being in captivity
How can I get permission to restore crow?
In order to legally care for a sick, injured or orphaned crow, you must apply for a federal migratory bird rehabilitation permit. However, you should be aware that these licenses can be difficult to obtain if you are not a bird rehabilitation center or have no previous experience working with crows specifically.
The license requires applicants to have at least 100 hours of prior hands-on experience in crow rehabilitation. You must also have facilities that meet specified requirements. Photos and blueprints must be provided with the application.
There is also a limit to the number of days you can care for a crow. Up to 180 days, but you can apply for an extension if the bird is not ready.
Even if you comply with all federal regulations, you must ensure that your state does not require a separate license. If they do, you’ll also need to apply for a state license.
All that said, unless you’re already a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, you’re going to have a hard time caring for crows legally. It may be easier (and more helpful to the animals) if you take them to an established bird rehabilitation center.
In the US it is not legal for you to care for crows unless you have a Wildlife Rehabilitation Permit
How much is a crow?
The pet crows discussed above are not easy to come by. They can also be very expensive. Buying one from a breeder can cost $2,000 to $6,000.
If you’re serious about keeping a crow as a pet, you should also consider the cost of building a proper aviary. Making sure you have the time and ability to provide your bird with a happy social life is also an important consideration.
Can crows be tamed?
Crows can be tamed for rehabilitation or, for non-native species, kept as pets. However, it’s important to remember that these birds are not domesticated like parrots or parakeets.
Even captive crows retain their wild instincts. Even the most experienced trainers still have a hard time keeping these captive birds happy.
American crow steals eggs, Florida
Are crows smarter than cats?
Like dogs, cats are intelligent and capable of solving fairly complex problems. However, crows are generally smarter than most cats (and other pets) due to their ability to use tools to take things a step further.
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I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
