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How can I get Rid of Ravens?

Laura Evans
Laura Evans

Ravens are the largest birds in the crow, or Corvidae, family. Known for their mischievous personalities and love of shiny objects, the raven is a highly intelligent bird that can be noisy, sometimes to an annoying degree. Getting rid of ravens can be difficult, perhaps because these birds are so bright. The birds may be scared away for a period of time by placing plastic owls, plastic snakes or a scarecrow outside. These birds are smart enough to figure out that these types of "solutions" are not harmful and may come back. Other options include installing an ultrasonic crow repellent system or using traps for crows and removing the birds from a property.

The raven has been an object of both admiration and scorn for thousands of years. Noah is said to have cursed the raven after the bird left the ark, never to return with news of land. In ancient Greece, ravens carried messages for Apollo, the sun god. Viking ships honored the god Odin with banners sporting a depiction of a raven. Native Americans considered the raven to be a creator and trickster god. Nothing has really changed. Today, the raven is loved by some and loathed by others.

A raven (Corvus corax).
A raven (Corvus corax).

One of the reasons that people enjoy the raven is because this bird is smart enough to engage in playful behaviors. In addition, ravens can mimic the sounds of the human voice and may be able to be taught to talk when domesticated. On the other hand, a raven is capable of making a great deal of irritating noise. Since ravens eat carrion and look at human trash as a food source, some people consider the bird to be "dirty." Scientists are concerned about ravens eating young desert tortoises in the Mojave Desert in California. Desert tortoises, a threatened species, have few natural defenses against these birds and other predators.

A scarecrow might scare away ravens for awhile.
A scarecrow might scare away ravens for awhile.

If food and water sources are eliminated, the birds may also disappear. This can be done by bringing pet foods and water inside, keeping trash cans covered and putting trash bags into trash bins with covers. Another method is to consistently make noise whenever the birds are seen in the yard. Putting tin pie pans on a string and hanging the string close to where the birds roost may also help. Varying these different methods, along with rotating in those scarecrows, owls and snakes, will help keep the birds from figuring out that none of these methods will actually harm them.

Putting trash bags into trash bins with covers is a good method for keeping ravens away.
Putting trash bags into trash bins with covers is a good method for keeping ravens away.

An ultrasonic crow repellent system, an outside system designed to be used year round, will emit sounds that are irritating to birds but not to human beings. Unfortunately, an ultrasonic crow repellent system may also chase other birds away. Another option is to play recordings of ravens in distress to convince the birds that your yard is dangerous. Bird spikes are designed to be placed in trees where ravens roost. These spikes make it difficult for the birds to sit or stand in that area.

Discussion Comments

anon995085

OK. The cat idea makes me laugh to think of the ravens here.

Our ravens are the very large ones that even a huge cat would only be a meal for.

We keep looking for an effective way to kill the ravens as this is the only way these ravens will leave. All the trees around us have been logged, so I thought they might move away - but they are returning from the other areas to the south of us that still have trees. The dirty ravens are swooping into our yard even more often than before. So, I am searching for truly effective ways to get rid of these big birds.

anon962781

I had to save my cat from three large ravens that were trying to kill him. The ravens in the area have eaten all the feral cats that used to roam around. Today, 14 ravens attacked, killed and ate an injured roadrunner that had wondered into the neighborhood.

These birds have chased off a young golden eagle that took up residence in a pine tree that the ravens consider their territory. These extremely large birds aren't afraid of people or any other animal. They are smart and have a gang mentality they hunt and kill as a group. I wish I had a way to get rid of these noisy, destructive, messy birds, but nothing works!

anon946991

My fairly small feral cat has eliminated two large ravens that I am aware of. She's a real killer and has brought in several cottontail rabbits as well.

Logicfest

A good cat can be an effective way to get rid of most birds, including crows. Since ravens are the largest members of the crow family, is a good cat a threat to them or are they too big to be pushed around by a 10-pound feline?

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    • A raven (Corvus corax).
      By: David Thyberg
      A raven (Corvus corax).
    • A scarecrow might scare away ravens for awhile.
      By: Cheryl Davis
      A scarecrow might scare away ravens for awhile.
    • Putting trash bags into trash bins with covers is a good method for keeping ravens away.
      By: Giuseppe Porzani
      Putting trash bags into trash bins with covers is a good method for keeping ravens away.
    • Ravens are scared of owls, so placing plastic owls outside may help deter them temporarily.
      By: carmelo milluzzo
      Ravens are scared of owls, so placing plastic owls outside may help deter them temporarily.