Flocks
of crows range widely for food, up to 30 miles a day in
winter. Foods include grasshoppers, caterpillars, grubs,
worms, most insects, grain, fruit, the eggs and young
of other birds, organic garbage -- just about anything
that they can find or overpower. Crows also feed on the
carcasses of winter- and road-killed animals.
Crows
have extremely keen senses of sight and hearing. They
are wary and usually post sentries while they feed. Sentry
birds watch for danger, ready to alert the feeding birds
with a sharp alarm caw. Once aloft, crows fly at 25-30
mph; with a strong tail wind, they can hit 60. These skillful
fliers have a large repertoire of moves designed to throw
off airborne predators.
A
nest site is usually chosen away from those of other crows.
Most often, nests are built in the crotch of a tree, 10-70
feet above ground, usually more than 25 feet. A typical
crow's nest is a large, substantial basket, 22-26 inches
across, built of twigs, sticks, bark and vines. The deep
central cup is lined with moss, shredded bark, grass,
deer hair, fur, feathers or similar material.