Photo by Chris F
Have you noticed large gatherings of crows in downtown Portland recently? So have I. My curiosity lead me on a quest to figure out why there are so many crows flocking together in Portland during the winter.
The crows in my neighborhood provide year-round entertainment on my daily walks. From 4-5 p.m. every night, I see groups of them flying south toward downtown Portland. Next time you’re driving near downtown before dusk, take a look up at the trees, power lines and tops of buildings. Chances are, you’ll see dozens, possibly hundreds, of crows gathered together.
But, why are there so many crows in Portland during the wintertime? Here’s some interesting information about our corvid friends that may also intrigue you.
Why Are There So Many Crows in downtown Portland?
Crows have gathered in downtown Portland during the fall and winter months for more than a decade. During peak times, numbers can easily exceed 20,000, and continue to grow each year.
Why do crows roost together in the winter?
From the noise, you can imagine this is every crow’s evening social call. While exchanging information is valuable to the wellbeing of these winged creatures, there is also safety and warmth that comes from gathering during the coldest times of the year. Crows may like the downtown location best due to the easy snacks left behind by passersby and garbage cans.
As they begin gathering before dusk, you can see the crows on both sides of the Willamette River on every power line, ledge, tree and building all around the area. I remember seeing them converge on the Morrison Bridge last winter when it was closed for repairs.
As darkness falls, they settle in for the night in the trees along Waterfront Park.
Crow roosts are found throughout the city. The largest is located in downtown Portland.
Resolving crow and human issues
The crows didn’t always have a cozy spot in the trees along the waterfront. When they first descended on downtown, they chose the busy areas around Pioneer Square.
As with all conflicts, there’s concerns about damage done and the mess left behind. Thousands of crows descending on downtown every night caused quite a stir and left behind an unimaginable amount of droppings. Benches and sidewalks, bus stops and awnings became covered with crow poop. The cleanup alone was daunting, and lead to intolerance from many who work and live downtown.
Thanks to efforts by the Bird Alliance of Oregon and Downtown Clean and Safe, a plan was devised to haze the crows out of the main downtown area using hawks. This tactic causes no harm to the crows. All the hawks have to do is show their presence in the area and move them toward the waterfront.
One of the hawks, Neil Patrick the Harris Hawk, gained some notoriety on Instagram of his role in moving the crows to safer areas.
Today, the crows roost in the trees along Waterfront Park.
Encouraging the crows to roost in trees along the water hasn’t stopped their numbers from growing downtown. Yet, now they do their business and bidding in an area with less evening foot traffic and required cleanup.
Where to see the crows roosting in downtown Portland
Want to see this nightly crow party in Portland? I recommend heading downtown around 4 p.m.
Next, find your viewing spot. Here’s a few ideas:
- Be right in the action in Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
- Take in a scenic view of the city and watch them flock downtown from the Eastbank Esplanade.
- Get above the water along a bridge walkway, such as the Morrison, Hawthorne or Burnside bridge and watch the birds fly in and find a cozy spot for the night.
Look up in the sky, trees and rooftops. Get an up-close view with binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens.
Whether you’re a bird enthusiast or simply curious about urban wildlife, watching crows in Portland offers a glimpse into the lives of these adaptable creatures. I hope this inspires you to look up and admire our corvid friends as they take advantage of our urban landscape this winter.
For more information about crows in Portland, visit the Bird Alliance of Oregon’s website.
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