Low Probability of Attacks by Hooded Crows Corvus cornix L., 1758 (Passeriformes: Corvidae) during the Nest-attendance Period: A Pilot Study

Abstract

We monitored 15 nests of hooded crows Corvus cornix while simultaneously recording the activity of birds at their nests and the number and activity of people in the vicinity of nests, to examine (1) how often crows attack people during the nest attendance period, (2) whether people and their activity close to crows' nests increase the probability of attacks and (3) whether people around nests increase the probability of crows' vocalisation. In total, we conducted 130 hours of observation, during which we recorded the presence and behaviour of nearly 30,000 people close to the crows' nests. Despite intensive human activities in the vicinity of crows' nests, we did not record aggression toward humans or pet animals, indicating that attacks are rare before fledglings leave their nests. In addition, vocalisation by crows was affected by the number of conspecifics in the nest vicinity but not by the human presence or activities.