Any bird watchers know what this is?

[Redneck]

My sister was outside swimming with her kids, and spotted this little guy in the yard. It looks like it might have fell from a nest somewhere, but we cant seem to locate any nests around the house. She let it sit out there a while, thinking maybe the momma would come back to it. But it didnt, and some stray cats seen it and were like, "Yum, dinner!". So she grabbed it, before the cats.

Here are a few shots of it. Any idea of what it could be?

I figure since I dont know a thing about birds, why not try here?

Thanks in advance.

 

[skippy]

Looks a lot like a crow to me.

 

[Bigboy]

I was thinking that myself.

 

[Terry D]

Tommy, It's a juvenile crow but can't tell if American or Fish from the pics. It would be easy to find out unless you have both spp where you found it. If you had time to observe it would probably be easy by association. The easiest field mark to use between the two spp is voice. American Crow adults give a higher, louder, harsh, gravelly call. Fish gives a softer, more nasal sounding "ah" or "ah-ah" or longer. However, nestling and fledgeling Americans have a lower, more nasal call that can closely approximate fish in the nasal aspect of the call but still more gravelly. Check for a wildlife re-habber nearby or release it where you found it. I hear they make good pets. Check Texas laws on that but it's another option to consider. Imo, local populations of either spp certainly wouldn't suffer if you did so. Good luck.

Btw, It's not bird-watcher. It's birder!

T

edit- Btw, what to feed it? Well, just about anything but the kitchen sink- as long as not salted or spiced. (-;

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

Yup, that's a crow. I raised one from a featherless baby to a near adult once. It became very tame. It was beginning to fly and would flap from the ground up onto my shoulders. They do make pretty good pets. Mine died suddenly, one day he was fine, the next day he was laying at the bottom of his cage. I was never sure what happened, I was just a teenager. Maybe his diet was not proper. I had raised him on bread mixed with milk and hamburger. I really had no idea what I was doing, but he flourished on it. But maybe there was a deficiency I was not aware of. I did not have access to advice, nor was I able to forage enough natural food. After all the years that have passed, I still feel bad about him not making it.

I'd like to try it again now that I'm an adult with more resources available. They can learn to talk, you know. I knew a fellow who had one that would say his own name(Alfred) and then utter a swear word. Think "Goshdarn" only more profane. If it's legal, I'd keep it, your chances of success are much better than mine were with all the info at your disposal. Since you can go shoot them at will, I can't imagine why it would be illegal to keep one, but laws are funny.

 

[Redneck]

Thanks for the replies everyone... I think it might be illegal to keep crows here in Texas, I will have to do some research. I wasnt planning on keeping it, nor was my sister. However, at first, she did think there was something wrong with it. But, after a little bit of reading, she learned it was a crow being a crow. Ill let her know, about the feeding as well. Thanks for the help yall...

 

[Crysta]

I wouldn't bring it to a rescue center - unless its specifically for crows - sometimes they just kill them when they arrive.
I'd keep it personally. caw caw

 

[Meecht]

I'd like to try it again now that I'm an adult with more resources available. They can learn to talk, you know. I knew a fellow who had one that would say his own name(Alfred) and then utter a swear word. Think "Goshdarn" only more profane. If it's legal, I'd keep it, your chances of success are much better than mine were with all the info at your disposal. Since you can go shoot them at will, I can't imagine why it would be illegal to keep one, but laws are funny.

I've heard that they can learn to speak, but you had to split their tongue first? I heard this long ago from an uncle, and we all know how accurate that type of information can be :wall:

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

That's an old wive's tale. And I shudder to think of the poor crows that suffered horribly as a result of such a silly exercise.

 

[Ecstasy]

I've heard that they can learn to speak, but you had to split their tongue first? I heard this long ago from an uncle, and we all know how accurate that type of information can be :wall:

Many birds can learn to speak just from hearing a word enough. I know a few people with lots of experience in crows so hopefully Redneck gets back in touch with me as I want to make sure that baby lives.

 

[Redneck]

My sister took the baby crow to some clinic that told her it will be taken care of. Or taken to a place for it to be cared for.

Neither of us wanted to keep it. Me, Im not a fan of birds. My sister, she was all worried about it being illegal to keep. So, it will be cared for by someone who can and wants to... And someone who dont have to worry about it being illegal for them.

 

[Ecstasy]

My sister took the baby crow to some clinic that told her it will be taken care of. Or taken to a place for it to be cared for.

Neither of us wanted to keep it. Me, Im not a fan of birds. My sister, she was all worried about it being illegal to keep. So, it will be cared for by someone who can and wants to... And someone who dont have to worry about it being illegal for them.

I actually wanted it myself. I've been researching crows/ravens for a few years now and while it's illegal to own a native one, you can raise them and care for them as long as you free them once they're strong enough. Though most people don't do this. In a year or two I plan on getting a pet raven. I'm glad you saved the baby crow though, as they're an amazing and intelligent bird.