Do Crows Migrate? (Complete Guide)

crow is a member Corvidae Families, including crows, rooks, jays, jackdaws, magpies, choughs, tree magpies and nutcrackers.Sometimes entire families of birds are referred to simply as “crows,” but crows belong to the genus Corvus Corvuswhich also contains crows and rooks – which is a bit confusing!

Crows are found across most of the world and are highly intelligent and adaptable, but do crows migrate?

Generally speaking, crows are very sedentary and do not migrate very far, if at all. In the United States, however, a study found that about three-quarters to two-thirds of the crows in Utica, New York, and Davis, California migrate each year, suggesting that crows are not always sedentary in northern latitudes. Instead, crows likely only migrated when food became scarce due to ice and snow cover.

Many crow species are found in northern latitudes, including Canada and the United States, as well as northern Europe and Asia, such as the American crow, carrion crow and hooded crow. Rooks, magpies, choughs, jays, and many other corvids also live in the cold far north, and many are non-migratory.

Crows are tough birds, and many species don’t need to migrate – only when necessary. In the United States, however, migratory crows tend to migrate every year without skipping a year, even if it is mild.

Read on to discover more facts about the migratory habits of these highly intelligent birds.

In the U.S., recent research finds that crows are indeed migrating more often than we thought

crows that migrated from america

The American crow is divided into five subspecies; the western crow, eastern crow, Florida crow, southern crow and northwestern crow. Of these subspecies, western, eastern, and northwestern crows are the most likely to migrate. Canadian crows are almost always migratory, and they do so at the same time that the ground is covered in snow and ice.

In the United States, a recent study of crow migration found that 73 percent of western crows and 86 percent of eastern crows migrated, an average distance of about 310 miles. Crows on the east coast migrated a shorter distance of about 287 miles, while those on the west coast traveled about 366 miles. The longest journey recorded was 1,740 miles.

These crows range from Utica, New York, to Davis, California—quite farther north. Crows with a more southerly range, such as the Florida subspecies, may not migrate.

American crows that chose to migrate showed high breeding-site fidelity, meaning they returned to the exact same location to breed after returning from their autumn and winter migrations. Crows also frequently reuse nests, with some sturdy nests accumulating more material each year until they become very large.

Another species of crow in the United States, the fish crow, lives almost exclusively in the east and southeast and does not migrate at all.

Canada’s American crow population almost always migrates

Migration of Crows from Great Britain

There are two species of crows in the UK; the carrion crow and the hooded crow. Carrion crows are non-migratory residents, even within their Scandinavian and northern European ranges. The hooded crow is partly migratory, traveling south from northern Russia, Siberia and Scandinavia.

Hooded crows breed in Great Britain and Ireland, with large breeding populations in Central and Eastern Europe. Some birds may also have left the UK for southern Europe.

In Britain, hooded crows are partly migratory

Why do crows migrate?

Crows are hardy and hardy, and most northern species don’t mind the cold. In some cases, hooded crows, carrion crows and American crows breed as far away as Canada, Scandinavia and northern Russia.

The motivation for crows to migrate is a source of food — crows may migrate when the ground freezes. Crows feed primarily from the ground – finding thawed feeding spots makes life easier for them.

How far do crows migrate?

A study in the United States showed that migrating crows travel an average of 310 miles from the west and east coasts. However, some crows traveled farther — one crow traveled 1,740 miles.

This would bring crows from southern Canada to Mexico. Crows aren’t particularly capable of flight, and they don’t complete their journey all at once, but in stages, foraging for food as they go.

Most crows in the US migrate about 300 miles

Where do crows migrate to?

In North America, American crows migrate from the northern, western and eastern United States and southern Canada. Migrating crows stop almost anywhere they can find food, but some fly south as far as northern Mexico, Arizona and Florida.

In Europe, bald crows distributed in Scandinavia, Russia and northern Europe moved towards inner and central Europe. Some western populations made their way to Britain and Ireland, while others ended up as far south as the Mediterranean.

Crow species found in Africa and Asia, such as the bush crow and the Cape crow, do not migrate.

How long does it take for crows to migrate?

Crows aren’t particularly capable of flight—American crows can reach a steady flight speed of about 35 mph. During migration, crows stay close to the ground and stop periodically to feed and rest.

There isn’t a lot of data on how long it takes for crows to migrate, but we can almost certainly say weeks rather than days.

Closeup of a perched carrion crow

Do crows fly non-stop?

Crows rest periodically when migrating. Instead of forming large flocks like swans, geese and other migratory birds, which complete their journey in one heroic journey, crows take a relaxed approach, pausing to rest as they go.

American crows fly at a steady speed of around 35 mph, but flying requires a lot of energy, and crows stop to forage along the way to refuel.

Do crows migrate in flocks?

Crows become more sociable in the fall and winter, gathering in flocks to overwinter. Overwintering crow flocks can number thousands of birds.

When crows migrate, they usually stick together in large flocks of their own to overwinter. While they may not fly together in flocks, they tend to congregate for food and roosting.

A flock of crows in flight

Do all crows migrate?

Only two crows are reliably migratory species: the American crow and the hooded crow. Most other species of crows are sedentary or migrate only short distances.

Crows are distributed as far south as the Southern Cape of Africa, where no migration is required. Only crows that range across northern Europe, Canada, and the northern United States migrate reliably.

The further south you go, the less likely the crows are to migrate. Migration is most driven by food availability, so crows may not migrate if food is plentiful year-round.

Only the American crow and the hooded crow are partially migratory

Where do the crows go in winter?

Crows are not usually sociable, but in winter they often overwinter in large flocks, sharing roosts.

Communal roosting allows crows to keep their numbers safe while sharing body heat. This is especially common in young birds.

Habitats vary from dense woodlands to buildings and urban areas.

Where did the crow go in summer?

During summer, most crows are breeding — or have already been.

Most crows in the northern hemisphere breed during the traditional spring breeding season, which runs from around April to June. So, in the summer, most adult crows are busy raising their chicks. Crow chicks spend most of the summer with their parents until they have fledged, but may remain with their parents until the following spring.

Closeup of American Crow

Do the crows return to the same place every year?

Crows exhibit high nesting and breeding site fidelity, meaning they tend to return to the same breeding and nesting sites each year. American crows return to exactly where they left off.

In fact, some crows try to return to the same nest, upgrading the nest if possible. A reusable crow’s nest can grow very large, up to several feet in width and depth.