Why Crows Love Your Yard During Michigan Winters

Earlier this year, I put a few bird feeders on a hook and decided to start a little community of birds and squirrels in my backyard. I figured it was a fun hobby that allowed me to give back to the ecosystem around our house, as well as entertain our indoor cats and son.

But as winter has rolled around here in Michigan and the snow started to fall- I wasn't surprised to see my birds leave for the winter. I was surprised, however at what took its place: Crows.

BELOW: 20+ Birds Around Michigan You'll See During The Winter ⬇️

I've never seen crows in my yard during the summer months, so naturally I started to research why these birds had a sudden interest in hanging around my house in such large numbers. And, it turns out- it's their way of surviving during the cooler months.

If you’ve noticed more crows in your Michigan yard during winter, you’re observing a fascinating natural behavior. Crows are highly social birds that form large communal roosts in the colder months. These gatherings can number in the thousands and serve several purposes:

Safety in Numbers: Roosting together helps crows protect themselves from predators like great horned owls. More eyes mean better vigilance.
Warmth: Urban areas, including residential neighborhoods, tend to be warmer than rural settings due to human activity and infrastructure. Crows take advantage of these warmer microclimates to conserve energy during cold winter nights.
Information Sharing: These intelligent birds may use communal roosts to share information about food sources, enhancing their foraging success.

If your yard is full of crows like mine, it might offer suitable trees or structures that crows find appealing for their nightly gatherings. While their presence can be noisy, it’s a testament to the adaptability and complex social structures of these remarkable birds.

So while a group of crows is called a murder, you're in no danger with these new friends visiting you during the winter. Enjoy their company while you can.