Crows and ravens are among the most intelligent birds, thriving in urban environments but often persecuted for perceived nuisance behaviors despite their ecological value.
Urban crows face threats from poisoning during pest control operations, vehicle strikes, power line electrocution, and lead poisoning from scavenging on hunters ammunition. Nest destruction is legally prohibited in most jurisdictions but still occurs. Crow roosts disturbed by hazing operations cause significant stress and can separate family groups. Young crows that fall from nests are often unnecessarily taken by well-meaning people. Corvids suffer in captivity as they require complex social environments and cognitive stimulation. Lead ammunition ingestion through scavenging is a significant mortality cause that is entirely preventable.