Backyards, agricultural fields, public parks, and even busy city streets with readily available food sources entice ravens. Unsecured garbage, unprotected crops, livestock carcasses, and even birdfeeders provide easy access to food and encourage ravens to roost nearby. While it is unlikely for the birds to enter houses, the clever creatures find ways to unzip tents, enter unlocked cars, and open containers to get to food.

Agricultural crops and livestock may suffer damage from ravens, although the birds are solitary and don’t usually cause as much harm as flocks of other songbirds. Ravens can attack and devour newborn animals, such as lambs and calves, and aggressively protect their nests. Their droppings also cause problems by destroying equipment, fouling walkways and water sources, and spreading disease to humans and other animals.

Since ravens are intelligent, it can take a lot of effort to control their populations. Individuals should take caution when approaching nests, as the beaks and talons of the large birds are sharp and powerful. Hanging effigies, placing scarecrows, and using propane exploders or pyrotechnics where legally available can be effective means of short-term population control, but ravens quickly learn that these distractions are not actually harmful. A more effective way to discourage ravens from encroaching on private properties is to remove potential food sources and roosting sites.

Ravens should not be handled by the general public. Those seeking trapping and removal options should contact wildlife removal experts who are trained to address problematic birds. Trutech technicians handle populations of ravens humanely and act within the confines of state and federal regulations.