Crow Nesting (Behavior, Location, Eggs + FAQs)

Crows are important members of high IQ Corvidae family (aka crow). Crows are resourceful, and about 45 species of crows are found across most of the world, from the furthest reaches of Northern Europe to the tropical forests of South Asia.

Here we answer questions by discussing a lesser known aspect of crow behavior; about crow nests and behaviour.

Many crows are very flexible in their habitat. For example, carrion crows nest in tall buildings and skyscrapers, on the sides of cliffs, in trees, hedges, and even on the ground. Broadly speaking, most crows prefer to nest in tall buildings, choosing the upper canopy of deciduous or coniferous trees whenever possible. However, this is only a rough rule of thumb, crows are not that picky about where they nest.

You may have heard the term “crow’s nest” referring to the structure above the mast of a sailing ship. The crow’s nest on the ship is used as a lookout, so named because crows like to build their nests in high places.

However, when you dig into the nesting data of crows, it becomes clear that they are very flexible and will nest almost anywhere they deem safe. For example, one study found that as many as 45 percent of American crow nests are built on the ground.

There’s certainly more to find out; read on to learn more about the wonderful nesting habits of crows!

Carrion crow (Corvus corone) sitting on a nest

Where do crows nest?

Crows can nest almost anywhere, from the ground to towering skyscrapers. Most crows aren’t particularly picky about where to nest, but their preferred habitats are tall, well-covered trees with broad branches and strong forks. They have even been recorded nesting on the sides of cliffs, brick walls and mountainside rock formations.

The average height of a crow’s nest is usually more than 10 meters, sometimes extending to 50 meters or more. However, crows also often build their nests close to the ground or even on the ground. For example, a study of American crows in Mandarte, British Columbia, found that about 45 percent of nests were on the ground. Meanwhile, in New York, Virginia and Ontario, the average nest height is about 10 to 20 meters.

The diversity of crows’ nesting sites is another indicator of the resourcefulness and adaptability of this ingenious bird.

American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) with its tail on the edge of the nest, high in a tree

What does a crow’s nest look like?

Crow’s nests are large and bulky, and they consist of relatively small sticks the length of a pencil. The average size of a Carrion crow’s nest is about 45 centimeters (1.5 feet) wide and 18 to 25 centimeters (8 to 10 inches) deep. Where there is a lack of available deadwood, crows often turn to long grasses and plant stems as substitutes. The overall nest shape is like a cup.

After the superstructure is complete, the nest is covered with smaller, softer materials, including bark, grass, twine, paper, leaves, moss, dirt, and dung. Finally, another lining is made of animal fur, moss, and other soft organic substances. The resulting nest is very large — larger than you’d expect from a bird the size of a crow.

Research has shown that crow nests can be strong enough to exist for years and even be used by other birds after the crows have left (although they usually collapse in winter). Also, if the first nest fails, the crow may build a backup nest in the same tree or nesting site. There are even reports of crows building three nests!

Nest of a crow (Corvus cornix) with five eggs

What time of year do crows nest?

In North America and northern Europe, crows typically start nesting in late winter (February to early March) and spring (April to May). Nesting activity is in full swing in sunny March, but may continue until June if conditions are unfavorable or nesting fails.

The further south you go, the more erratic the breeding season becomes. For example, African cape jays nest in Sudan from December to February, in Eritrea and Ethiopia from February to May, and in Kenya from March to April. Ravens (or jungle crows) also nest in Asia most of the year, depending on habitat and conditions.

How Long Do Crows Nest?

Crows are flexible about their nests and may return to the same nest every year, or they may choose to rebuild a new one nearby. Some crows migrate, but they usually return to the same breeding grounds year after year.

Crows build their nests at least during the breeding season. After about a month, the young crows grow their feathers, but they can stay with their parents for months or even years.

In fact, crows are one of the few birds with a “nesting helper.” Young crows may stay to help their parents build nests and raise new young, their younger siblings!

A pair of crows, communicating with each other

How do crows build their nests?

The male crow usually builds the nest with the female crow, but sometimes, the male crow will carry the branch to the nest and allow the female crow to build the nest together. For example, female American crows have been observed to do most of the “fine-tuning” when males provide material.

Crows sometimes have nesting helpers, which are other non-breeding crows who join in to help build the nest. Nesting helpers are usually last year’s juveniles or other birds related to the parents.

Nest building can get very messy when there are multiple helpers. A bird watcher observed several crows handing sticks to a female nest builder. The materials are not used up fast enough, leaving the nest in a mess! It’s probably a case of “too many crows spoil the broth” rather than “many crows make the job easy”!

Jackdaws (Corvus monedula) gathering nesting material in spring

When does the baby crow leave the nest?

Young crows take about 25 to 35 days to hatch, at which point they usually hop out of their nests and perch on nearby tree branches.

Young crows can roost in the canopy for up to ten days before taking their first flight. After crows hatch, they usually spend at least two to three months under the close protection of their parents.

How many broods do crows have?

Crows have one litter of young per year, but if the first litter fails early in the breeding season, they will often try a second litter.

Some crow species have been recorded as having two litters, such as the horned crow and, rarely, the hooded crow. Crow parents dutifully devote a great deal of energy to raising their offspring—they rarely have the time to raise two offspring.

Carrion crows gather nesting material to build their nests

Do crows nest in the same place every year?

Most crows choose to build a new nest each year, but some choose to rebuild or repair old nests. This mostly depends on the availability of new nesting sites and new materials – restoration and refurbishment may be a good option when nesting sites are limited.

Even if crows don’t nest in the same nest, they usually breed in the same area each year. Migrating crows typically return to the same breeding sites each year, but many crow species are resident and sedentary and do not travel far from their birthplaces.

What do crow eggs look like?

Almost all crow eggs are olive green or blue-green.

Carrion crow eggs are more blue, while American crow eggs are more olive. Additionally, crow eggs are spotted with taupe markings – most of the spots are concentrated at the wider end of the egg.

American crow eggs typically measure 2.6 to 3.1 cm (1 to 1.2 inches). They also vary in shape; some are more elliptical and some are more oval.

Crow feeding chicks in nest

What month does the crow lay eggs

In much of North America, Europe, and northern and central Asia, crows lay their eggs during the typical breeding season, which runs from early April to June. In the UK, most crows lay their eggs in April and May.

In parts of Africa and Asia, crows can lay their eggs in December, January and February, or August, September and October. The further south you go, the more chaotic the traditional breeding season becomes.

Do crows use nest boxes?

Crows are too large for most common nest boxes, so they tend not to use nest boxes.

Crows also like to nest in more open places, although they are flexible and sometimes choose some unfamiliar places to nest. Even so, crows prefer to build open nests and rarely nest in tree hollows or nest boxes.

a crow sitting on the nest

Where do crows sleep at night?

At night, crows sleep on tree branches or in empty buildings.

Most crows are roosters, which means they roost in flocks at night, especially in cold conditions. In towns, it is not uncommon to see hundreds of crows congregating in their roosts each night.

Also, crows often move into cities to sleep at night, probably because it’s warmer and better protected from nocturnal predators like owls.