Black birds, such as crows, ravens, blackbirds, and starlings are a common sight in many backyards. While some people view them as pests or nuisances, black birds play an important role in the ecosystem and their presence can even be a sign of a healthy environment. Understanding what attracts black birds to your yard can help you enjoy watching their interesting behaviors or discourage them from becoming a problem.
Food sources draw birds to yards
One of the main things that brings black birds to backyards is the availability of food sources. Black birds are omnivorous and opportunistic feeders that adapt readily to taking advantage of whatever food they can find. Yards can provide a smorgasbord of natural foods and human-provided foods that birds will flock to.
Natural food sources
Black birds forage on insects and other invertebrates, small animals, seeds, fruits, and nuts. Yards with trees and shrubs that produce berries, seeds, or nuts can attract black birds coming to feed. Bugs and grubs in the lawn or vegetation also draw in birds looking for protein sources. Gardens and flower beds also bring in birds seeking fruits, seeds, and nectar.
Anthropogenic food sources
In addition to natural foods, black birds have learned to take advantage of food sources provided by humans. Bird feeders stocked with seed mixes or suet offer readily available calories. Pet food left outside, unsecured trash cans, and open compost piles provide pickings for opportunistic birds. And intentional feeding of birds with bread crumbs or other food scraps can condition them to associate yards with easy meals. Once birds discover they can find food in a yard, they are likely to return.
Access to water
Fresh water sources like bird baths, fountains, or ponds also attract black birds to backyards. Like all animals, birds need water daily to survive, so having access to water for drinking and bathing is a draw. The splashing sounds and movement of water can also serve to grab birds’ attention and pull them into a yard. Birds such as starlings especially like to bathe and will happily visit yards with water features.
Shelter for roosting
Black birds frequently gather in large mixed flocks for overnight communal roosting. Yards that provide appropriate shelter and roosting sites can attract big flocks of crows, starlings, or blackbirds arriving to settle in for the night. Birds look for trees or structures that offer cover from the elements and protection from predators when choosing roosting spots. Dense conifers are a favorite shelter for blackbirds, while crows like leafy deciduous trees. Crevices and ledges on buildings, barns, and other structures also provide good nighttime perches.
Safety in numbers
When birds roost or feed in flocks, there is safety in their numbers. Having more eyes watching for potential threats allows the birds to spend less time being vigilant and more time resting or eating. So if some of the birds find a yard that offers what they need, they will call others to join them through loud conspicuous calls and flocking behavior. This can result in whole flocks of black birds descending on a yard at once.
Nesting sites
In spring, yards with suitable nesting spots will be sought out by breeding black birds looking for places to raise their young. Crows build large stick nests high in trees, while blackbirds weave nests low down in shrubs or grass. Undisturbed mature trees and shrubs that provide good cover offer ideal nesting real estate that birds will return to year after year. Once birds nest successfully in a yard, they often come back to the same spot in subsequent years.
Avoiding predators and threats
Black birds, especially crows, are very intelligent and can learn to avoid areas where they feel threatened. Yards with dogs, cats, or freeranging chickens seen as predators will be avoided. Similarly, birds learn to avoid yards where they have been disturbed or harassed. But yards that offer a relatively safe haven will become refuge destinations for wary black birds.
Roost locations by season
Black birds choose different types of spots for roosting depending on the time of year:
| Season | Preferred roosting locations |
|---|---|
| Winter | Dense conifer trees, which offer shelter and warmth |
| Summer | Deciduous trees, which are leafier and provide shade |
| Spring & Fall | Mix of conifers and deciduous trees |
What to do if black birds become a nuisance
While having black birds visit your yard can be fascinating, sometimes they can become nuisance pests. Here are some tips to discourage them if they become problematic:
– Remove outdoor food sources like pet food, fallen fruit, and open compost piles.
– Stop feeding birds and clean up spilled seed from feeders.
– Install deterrents like bird netting, reflective tape, or bird spikes on ledges and roosting spots.
– Use noisemakers or visual deterrents to scare birds away.
– Trim trees and vegetation to remove preferred shelter and nesting spots.
– Use fake predators like rubber snakes, owls or hawks to frighten birds away.
Conclusion
In summary, black birds are drawn to yards that provide their basic needs: food, water, shelter, and safety. Their intelligence allows them to learn and remember locations that meet these requirements. While their opportunistic behavior can be annoying at times, black birds also benefit ecosystems by controlling pests, pollinating plants, and dispersing seeds. Finding a balance is key to allowing you to enjoy their presence while keeping them from becoming a problem.
