Crows are smarter than you. Seriously. They’ve got the encephalization quotient—basically a fancy brain-to-body mass ratio—that rivals primates. If you want to know how to call in crows, you have to stop thinking of them as "just birds" and start thinking of them as a neighborhood watch committee that’s highly suspicious of your motives. Most people go out into a field, blow a plastic reed until they're blue in the face, and wonder why the trees stay empty. It’s because the crows know you’re faking it.
Crows recognize faces. They remember who’s a threat and who’s a friend. Research by Dr. John Marzluff at the University of Washington proved this using masks; the crows literally scolded people wearing "dangerous" masks years after the initial encounter. So, if you’re trying to bring them in, you aren't just making noise. You’re entering a social conversation.
Understanding the "Language" of the Murder
Crows don't just "caw" for the sake of it. Every sound has a specific social function. If you’re just making generic, rhythmic noises, you’re essentially shouting "Spoon! Spoon! Spoon!" in the middle of a library. Nobody is going to come check that out.
To really get how to call in crows, you need to master the Rally Call. This is usually a series of three to five short, sharp bursts. It says, "Hey, everyone, get over here; something is happening." It’s not an alarm. It’s an invitation. If you make it sound too frantic, you’re sounding a Distress Call. A distress call might bring them in, but they’ll be high up, circling, and incredibly stressed out. They won't land. They’ll just scream at you from the canopy because they think a hawk or a cat is eating one of their cousins.
Then there’s the Scolding Call. This is what you hear when they’ve found an owl. It’s low, harsh, and constant. Crows hate owls. If you can mimic a crow that has found a "threat," the local murder will swarm in to help mob the intruder. This is the most effective way to see them up close, but it’s also the loudest and most chaotic.
The Gear: Mouth Calls vs. Electronic
Honestly, you can do this with your own throat, but it’s gonna hurt. Most pros use a hand-held reed call. Brands like Terry Redlin or Haydel's make "Crow Calls" that are essentially tuned wood or plastic. You bite down on the mouthpiece to change the pitch. Harder pressure means a higher, more frantic pitch. Looser pressure gives you that deep, "old man" crow sound.
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Electronic callers (e-callers) are a thing too. They’re basically rugged Bluetooth speakers with pre-recorded files of real crows. They work great because the audio is authentic, but they lack the soul. A crow might realize the loop is repeating. If you use one, don't just let it blare. Turn it on for thirty seconds, then shut it up. Let the silence do the work.
Timing and Location Are Everything
You can’t just do this in your backyard at noon and expect a Hitchcock movie. Crows have schedules. In the morning, they leave the "roost"—the giant communal sleeping spot—and head to "dispersal points." By midday, they’re foraging. Late afternoon is the "pre-roost" phase where they gather in smaller groups before heading home.
The best time? Early morning or late afternoon.
Look for high ground. Crows like to have a vantage point. If you’re in a valley, they can’t see what you’re talking about. Find a spot with a "scout tree"—a dead or bare-branched tree that stands out. Crows will almost always land there first to survey the scene before committing to the ground. If you’re trying to learn how to call in crows in a wooded area, find a clearing. They need to see a clear flight path.
The Decoy Strategy
Calls are the radio; decoys are the TV. If they hear a party but don't see anyone, they get suspicious. You need visual confirmation.
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Don't just throw one plastic bird on the ground. Crows are social. Use at least three. Place two on the ground as if they’re feeding and one high up in a tree (the "sentry"). Use "flock" decoys with a flocked, fuzzy texture. Shiny plastic reflects UV light in a way that looks like a neon "FAKE" sign to a bird's eyes. If you’re feeling bold, put out a fake Great Horned Owl. Put a crow decoy near the owl's feet. This creates a narrative: "Hey! This owl caught one of us! Get over here and help!" This triggers a mobbing response that is almost impossible for a crow to ignore.
The Psychological Game
Crows are skeptical. You've gotta understand that. If you’re standing out in the open in a bright red hoodie, they aren't coming. You don't necessarily need full-blown Mossy Oak camo, but you need to break up your silhouette. Stay in the shadows.
Movement is the biggest killer. Crows have incredible peripheral vision. If you move your head quickly to look at one, it’s gone. And because they communicate, that one crow will tell the others. They have "sentries" that sit high up while the others feed. If you fool the sentry, you've won.
What Most People Get Wrong
People over-call. It’s the #1 mistake. They think more noise equals more birds. It’s the opposite. Think about a real conversation. If someone is just screaming the same word for ten minutes, you walk away. Call for a minute, then wait for five. Listen. If you hear a faint "caw" in the distance, stop calling immediately. They heard you. They’re coming to investigate. If you keep calling while they’re approaching, they’ll pinpoint your exact location and realize you aren't a bird. Let them hunt for you.
Another thing: food. If you're calling them in to build a relationship (the "crow friend" route), don't use a distress call. Use a soft, low "rattle" or a gentle "caw-caw." And bring the goods. Crows love unsalted peanuts in the shell. The "crunch" is a sound they associate with food. Hard-boiled eggs are another favorite. If you’re calling them to feed them, consistency is key. Call at the same time every day. They will literally start waiting for you.
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The Ethics and Legality of Calling
Check your local laws. In many places, crows are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. You can call them all you want to watch them or take photos, but if you’re hunting, there are strictly defined seasons and regulations.
Also, don't be a jerk to your neighbors. Crow mobbing sounds are loud and annoying. If you start a crow riot at 6:00 AM in a suburban cul-de-sac, you're going to have a bad time.
Variations in Species
Are you calling American Crows or Fish Crows? It matters. Fish Crows, common along the East Coast and Southeast US, have a nasal, two-note call that sounds like they’re saying "uh-huh" or "nuh-uh." If you use a deep, gravelly American Crow call, the Fish Crows might just ignore you because you sound like a foreigner.
Then you have Ravens. Ravens are much larger, have wedge-shaped tails, and their "call" is a deep, hollow "croak." Crows and Ravens generally don't get along. If you’re in Raven territory and you start making Crow distress sounds, the Ravens might show up just to see if there’s a free meal, or they might stay away entirely to avoid the drama.
Actionable Steps for Your First Session
Start small. Don't go out and buy a $200 electronic caller yet.
- Get a basic polycarbonate crow call. They’re cheap and durable. Practice the "Rally Call" (three short bursts) in your car where no one can hear you being weird.
- Find a transition zone. Look for the edge of a forest meeting a field. This is prime crow territory.
- Set the stage. If you have decoys, great. If not, use some unsalted peanuts spread out in a clear spot.
- Be still. Sit against a large tree trunk to hide your back. Keep your hands and face covered or very still.
- The 30-Second Rule. Call for 30 seconds. Put the call down. Wait. Watch the horizon. Crows often approach silently from behind or from the side to "scout" before they start vocalizing.
- Observe the reaction. If they circle but won't land, you’re too visible or your call is too aggressive. If they fly away, you moved. If they land—congratulations, you’ve successfully entered the murder.
The real secret to how to call in crows isn't the plastic whistle in your pocket. It’s patience. These birds have been around for millions of years; they aren't easily fooled by a human with a weekend hobby. You have to earn their presence by being consistent, quiet, and observant. Once you get that first group to spiral down from the sky because of a sound you made, you'll realize it's less about "calling" and more about communicating with one of the smartest species on the planet.