Crows, with their striking black plumage and intelligent eyes, are a familiar sight across the globe. These social birds are known for their complex communication, problem-solving skills, and adaptability. Observing a flock of crows in the wild can be fascinating, leading some to wonder: could these captivating creatures be kept as pets? The idea of having a pet crow might seem intriguing, but the reality is far more complex than simply admiring them from afar. Before you consider bringing a crow into your home, it’s crucial to understand the legal implications and the significant commitment involved in caring for such a unique and wild animal.
Navigating the Legal Landscape: Owning Crows in the US and UK
The first and most critical question is legality. Can you legally own a crow as a pet? The answer, in most cases, is a resounding no, particularly when it comes to native species in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.
United States: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act
In the United States, most native crow species fall under the protection of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA). This federal law makes it illegal to possess, harm, or harass migratory birds, their nests, or eggs without proper permits. Crows, being migratory birds, are included in this protection. Therefore, keeping a native American crow, for example, as a pet is against federal law. Violations of the MBTA can result in hefty fines and even legal repercussions.
The MBTA does offer limited exceptions, primarily for temporary care under specific circumstances. If you find a sick, injured, or orphaned crow, you may be able to obtain a rehabilitation permit. This permit allows you to care for the bird temporarily until it recovers and can be released back into the wild. However, acquiring such a permit involves meeting strict requirements and demonstrating the ability and facilities to properly care for the bird. It’s crucial to understand that this is for rehabilitation, not pet ownership.
It’s illegal to keep native crow species as pets in both the US and the UK due to wildlife protection laws.
United Kingdom: Wild Bird Laws
Similarly, in the UK, the law strongly discourages keeping wild birds as pets. Government regulations state that “You must not keep any wild bird (or its egg or nest) unless you can prove it was taken or killed legally.” This means owning a wild crow is illegal unless you can demonstrate it was legally obtained, which is virtually impossible for a healthy wild bird.
The UK government acknowledges specific situations where keeping a wild bird might be permissible, typically when the bird is unfit for release back into the wild due to injury or illness. In such cases, you would need to prove the bird’s condition justifies keeping it and potentially obtain a license. Acceptable reasons for possessing a wild bird include:
- Being taken under license for specific purposes like research or conservation.
- Being taken from the wild because it is permanently unfit for release.
- Being found dead or killed accidentally (e.g., roadkill).
For anyone considering keeping a wild bird in the UK, it is essential to consult the UK government’s website for the most up-to-date guidance and licensing requirements.
Are There Legal Pet Crows? Exploring Non-Native Species
While native crows are off-limits as pets in many regions, there are a few exceptions in the form of non-native species. Because the MBTA in the US specifically protects native migratory birds, it does not extend to species not naturally found in North America. This opens a narrow legal window for owning certain non-native crow species, such as the pied crow and the white-necked raven.
Pied Crows and White-Necked Ravens
Pied crows and white-necked ravens, while possessing similar intelligence and social complexities to their native cousins, are not protected under the MBTA because they are native to Africa. This means, in the US, it is technically legal to own these species as pets, provided they are obtained legally (typically from breeders).
However, the legality is just one piece of the puzzle. Finding breeders who specialize in these non-native crows can be challenging. They are not common in the exotic pet trade, and you won’t likely find them in your local pet store. Furthermore, the ethical and practical considerations of keeping these intelligent and demanding birds as pets are significant, regardless of their legal status.
A Pied Crow, a non-native species that is legally obtainable as a pet in the US, though still a challenging pet to care for.
A White-necked Raven, another non-native species that, like the Pied Crow, may be legally kept as a pet in the US under specific conditions.
Why Crows Might Not Be the Ideal Pet: Understanding Their Wild Nature
Even if you can legally obtain a non-native crow, it’s crucial to ask yourself: should you? Crows, even those not native to your region, are fundamentally wild animals. Domestication is a process that takes generations, and crows have not undergone this transformation. Their inherent wild instincts and complex needs make them exceptionally challenging pets for even the most experienced bird enthusiasts.
Intelligence and Captivity Stress
Crows are among the most intelligent birds in the world, rivaling some mammals in cognitive abilities. This high intelligence is a key reason why they struggle in captivity. Cages, even large ones, severely restrict their natural behaviors, particularly flight. Confinement can lead to significant stress, manifesting as destructive behaviors, aggression, feather plucking, and other signs of distress.
The ideal environment for a captive crow would be a spacious aviary, offering ample room to fly and explore. Building such a facility is expensive and requires significant space and resources. Even in a large aviary, it’s debatable whether a crow can truly thrive, as they are accustomed to vast territories and complex social interactions in the wild.
Vocalization and Social Needs
Crows are highly vocal birds, using a wide range of calls for communication. While their vocalizations might be fascinating in nature, living with a crow can be a different experience. Their frequent and loud calls can become overwhelming in a domestic setting.
Furthermore, crows are intensely social creatures. In the wild, they live in family groups and flocks, relying on social interaction for their well-being. While they can form bonds with humans, they ideally need the companionship of other crows to fulfill their social needs. Keeping a solitary crow, even with extensive human interaction, may not provide the social enrichment they require for a happy and healthy life.
Crows’ high intelligence contributes to their difficulty in adapting to captivity, as their complex needs are hard to meet in a domestic setting.
Rehabilitating Crows: Permits and Practicalities
If you find a sick or injured native crow and wish to help, the legal and ethical route is to rehabilitate it for release back into the wild, not to keep it as a pet. As mentioned earlier, this requires obtaining a Federal Migratory Bird Rehabilitation permit in the US.
However, these permits are not easily granted to the average person. The application process is rigorous, requiring proof of significant experience in bird rehabilitation, particularly with corvids (the family of birds that includes crows). Applicants typically need to demonstrate at least 100 hours of hands-on experience and possess a facility that meets specific standards, often requiring detailed plans and photographic evidence.
Permits also come with time limitations. In the US, you generally have a maximum of 180 days to rehabilitate a crow, although extensions can be requested under certain circumstances. Furthermore, state-level permits may also be required, adding another layer of complexity.
For most individuals who find an injured crow, the most practical and helpful course of action is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center. These centers have the expertise, facilities, and permits necessary to provide proper care and maximize the bird’s chances of a successful return to the wild.
In the US, caring for a crow without a wildlife rehabilitation license is illegal, emphasizing the importance of proper permits for wildlife care.
The Cost of a Pet Crow (and Why It’s More Than Just Money)
Even if you overcome the legal and ethical hurdles and decide to pursue a non-native crow as a pet, be prepared for significant costs. Acquiring a pied crow or white-necked raven from a breeder can range from $2,000 to $6,000 or even higher.
However, the purchase price is just the beginning. Building a suitable aviary can be a substantial investment, potentially costing thousands of dollars depending on size and materials. Crows also require a specialized diet, enrichment, and veterinary care, adding to the ongoing expenses.
Beyond the financial costs, consider the time and emotional commitment. Crows are long-lived birds, potentially living for 20 years or more in captivity. They demand significant attention, social interaction, and mental stimulation. Owning a crow is not comparable to owning a domesticated pet like a cat or dog; it’s a lifelong commitment to a highly intelligent, wild animal with complex needs.
Taming vs. Domesticating Crows: Setting Realistic Expectations
It’s important to differentiate between taming and domestication. While crows can be tamed, especially when hand-raised from a young age, they are not domesticated animals. Taming involves making a wild animal accustomed to human presence, but it does not fundamentally alter their wild instincts.
Even crows bred in captivity retain their wild nature. They are not like parrots or parakeets, which have been domesticated over generations and are genetically adapted to living with humans. Crows remain inherently wild, and their behavior will always be influenced by their natural instincts. Expecting a crow to behave like a typical domesticated pet is unrealistic and can lead to frustration for both the owner and the bird.
Even when tamed, crows retain their wild instincts, such as foraging and opportunistic feeding behaviors like stealing eggs.
Crow Intelligence: Smarter Than You Think (and Your Cat?)
Crows are renowned for their intelligence, often cited as being smarter than many common pets, including cats. While comparing intelligence across species is complex, crows exhibit remarkable cognitive abilities. They are known for tool use, problem-solving, complex communication, and even demonstrating self-awareness.
Their problem-solving skills often surpass those of cats and dogs in certain cognitive tests. Crows can use tools to access food, remember complex spatial relationships, and even plan for the future to some extent. This high level of intelligence is part of what makes them so fascinating but also reinforces why they are not well-suited to the typical constraints of pet ownership. Their active minds require constant stimulation and challenges that are difficult to replicate in a domestic environment.
Conclusion: Respecting Crows in the Wild
In conclusion, while the idea of keeping a pet crow might be captivating, the reality is fraught with legal, ethical, and practical challenges. For native species in the US and UK, it is illegal to keep them as pets. While non-native species might be legally obtainable, their complex needs and wild nature make them unsuitable pets for most individuals.
Crows are magnificent wild animals that are best admired and respected in their natural environment. If you are passionate about helping crows, focus on supporting wildlife conservation efforts and licensed rehabilitation centers. Observing their intelligence and social dynamics in the wild is far more rewarding and ethical than attempting to confine these remarkable birds to a domestic setting.
