Crows are widely considered to be pests. However, these large and highly intelligent black birds actually serve quite a few important functions in the environment. So what are crows good for? Here’s what you’ll want to know.
Pest And Parasite Management
Crows are omnivores and they love eating pests that plague farms and gardens. In addition to a wide variety of insects, they eat large numbers of grubs, caterpillars, and armyworms annually. Crows also love to eat ticks which are of course a vector for disease, particularly in America where they are known for carrying Lyme disease.
West Nile Virus Detection
Crows are one of the few bird species which are highly susceptible to the West Nile Virus as they rarely survive once infected. Because of this health authorities consider them to be an indicator species.
By testing dead birds they can quickly determine if the virus is in a given area and take the proper precautions if needed. Keep in mind however that crows don’t actually spread West Nile Virus, however, instead the spreading is done by infected mosquitoes.
Nature’s Clean-Up Crew
Crows are good for one of the dirtiest jobs in nature, cleaning up carcasses. Along with birds like vultures, crows feed on dead animals. And if it weren’t for them carcasses would be seen and smelled much more frequently. In fact, in many areas around the world, it is often crows more than any other animal which perform the vast majority of the disposal of rotting carcasses.
By consuming roadkill, dead animals of all types, and also trash, crows not only help to clean up but also prevent the spread of dangerous pathogens and diseases into our environment. Not to mention that if crows didn’t do so these would be food for rodents and flies resulting in their proliferation.
Seed Dispersal
Like other birds crows help to promote the growth of trees and plants as they disperse seeds in their waste in a range of locations. However, in addition, crows in particular are known for their habit of scatter-hoarding seeds in remote locations. This helps to ensure that they have enough food even when resources are scarce. Because of this crows are good for dispersing seeds over quite a long distance.
Natural Balance
Crows are keystone species in the environments in which they live. And as such, they’re invaluable birds that help to maintain equilibrium in the food chain, biodiversity as a whole, and aid in seed dispersal. Without them, there would be no other species to fill their niche. So when it comes to what are crows good for, the answer is a whole lot!
Start Shopping for Birding Gear!
The Most Dangerous Birds In The World
Most bird species are harmless, although there is a handful that can seriously injure or even kill you. And while the chances you’ll have a run-in with an aggressive winged beast is low, for safety’s sake (or your own curiosity) you’ll want to know more. So here’s a...
Iridescent Birds
Iridescent birds have plumage that can appear to change color depending on the angle at which you are looking at them. This makes these special birds not only unique but also oftentimes amazingly beautiful. So here are the top iridescent bird species you’ll want to...
Flightless Birds
There are many bird species that have lost the ability to fly due to evolution. While you may be familiar with some of them already, the odds are that there are quite a few which you aren’t. So here are some of the top flightless birds and what you’ll want to know...
Birds With Hair
Many bird species can look as if they have hair on their heads. While that “hair” is really made up of feathers they are nevertheless fun to look at. So here are some of the most interesting and unique looking and birds with “hair,” you’ll ever see. Silver Pheasant...
Bearded Birds
Birds with beards are always an interesting sight. And while they may not have real facial hair like us humans, it can often look like it. So here are some of the top bearded birds and what you’ll want to know about them. Wild Turkey The male wild turkey has a beard...
Cool Looking Birds
With so many different bird species on the planet, they really come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and other physical characteristics. And some bird species are just much more interesting in appearance than others. The following are some cool looking...
Birds With Long Pointed Beaks
Bird beaks come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Yet while they may not be as common as other types, birds with long pointed beaks have some of the most unique and specialized beaks in the world. So here’s a list of the longest and pointiest beaks in the business...
Snapping Turtle Facts
The common snapping turtle is known for its aggressive attitude and powerful jaws. There are many amazing things you’ll want to know about these large and ornery reptiles. So here are some of the top common snapping turtle facts. They Aren’t Picky Eaters The common...
Birds With Huge Beaks
There is an enormous variety of bird species on the planet. And while many have stunning colors or plumage, there are only a handful of birds with huge beaks. The following birds have some of the largest beaks on the planet. Toucan Toucans can have beaks that are as...
Ostrich Facts
The ostrich is a unique bird that is famous for its enormous size. But there are many more things you’ll want to know about this unusual-looking species. So here are some of the most amazing ostrich facts. Ostriches Live In Groups With more eyes on the lookout for...
Pink Bird Species
There’s just something special about pink plumage. Not only does it stand out visually, but the fact that it’s quite rare in the world of birds makes it even more extraordinary. So here are some of the coolest-looking pink bird species you’ll want to check out. Galah...
Birds With Strange Beaks
Birds with strange beaks can look totally bizarre. However those weird looking beaks are actually highly specialized tools. So here are some of the birds with the strangest beaks of all, along with what you'll want to know about them. Spoonbill Spoonbills are wading...
Birds That Look Like Turkey Vultures
The turkey vulture is a large and unique-looking scavenger. It has a featherless red head and dark plumage. However, despite its distinct appearance, there are a handful of other birds that look like turkey vultures. The following are the most similar-looking species....
Birds That Look Like Penguins
Penguins are flightless birds that typically have black and white plumage. They are top-notch swimmers that are only found in the Southern Hemisphere. However, there are quite a few other birds that are often confused with them. So here’s a list of birds that look...
Scary Looking Birds
There are many bird species that are known for their incredible beauty. Yet there are a few that are instead famous for their frightening appearance. So here are some scary looking birds you’ll want to check out. Shoebill The shoebill is a truly prehistoric looking...
Crazy Looking Birds
There is an unbelievable number of bird species on the planet. And that means that there are a few that are bound to stand out in terms of their looks. So here are some crazy-looking birds, that you’ll not only be shocked to see but that you’ll want to learn more...
Prehistoric Looking Birds
The birds we see today evolved from dinosaurs. Many species have changed so much that they don’t really resemble their ancestors much at all. Yet there are still a handful of birds that look as if they have stepped right out millions of years in the past. So here are...
Dinosaur Looking Birds
Modern-day birds are generally accepted to have evolved from dinosaurs. And there are many species that even today still have a prehistoric appearance. So here are some of the most dinosaur-looking birds on the planet. Stellar’s Sea Eagle With their sharp talons and...
Cassowary Facts
The cassowary is a unique-looking flightless bird native to Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. And there are many fascinating things about them. So here are some of the most interesting cassowary facts. It's The Most Dangerous Bird On The Planet The cassowary...
Golden Eagle Facts
The golden eagle is a large bird of prey. And there are many amazing things you’ll want to know about this species. So here are some of the top golden eagle facts. It's A Highly-Respected Species In The World Of Falconry Falconry is the sport of hunting animals using...