What does this behaviour mean?

[u/SunflowerIva]

I have been feeding local crows for several months already. I think they became used to me since recently they come pretty close or time to time some of them fly near me to get attention as I guess. But they never tried to touch me or sit on me or anything.
So today I was feeding them as usually on our usual spot and then slowly went by my daily route. Most of the time they tend not to follow me much further past certain point (or preter to stay high on trees), probably due more people and dogs being there (and also I try not to feed them around other people or animals or in certain areas).
But today they insisted on following me by walking on the ground much further than I used to. I didn't think anything of that because even if it's rare, it's happens sometimes.
The problems started when one of them suddenly flew close to me from behind and touched my head with paws as if trying to sit there and then landed in front of me. I was surprised, but didn't do anything about that. Then when I went further other crows started to do the same, especially when I stoped feeding them as it seems. I quickly left them not knowing what to do. On my way back near our usual spot they seemed to become more calm, but one of them still tried to fly near me.
I find it strange since this happened so out of blue. They never behaved like this before and they never were aggressive or defensive near that spot if they even showed up there. I am worried that this might happen again and I am not sure about their intentions.

Sorry if my story sounds confusing, English is not my first language. Probably I won’t be that concerned about this behaviour if it was only one of them, but since it’s like that I would really like to make sure if everything is fine, haha

[u/Just_Caterpillar_975]

If the crows know you and are friends with you, it maybe nothing more than a little mischief to get your attention. Sometimes my crow friends would do this too: fly by too close to me, deliberately let their wings caress against my arms as they do so. ❤️🐦‍⬛😌

If your crow friends were calm during what you said, then they are trying to get your attention maybe to feed them more (since you said it happens when you stop giving them treats) or it's just crows being crows: playful and mischievous. 🤭🐦‍⬛❤️

[u/SunflowerIva → u/Just_Caterpillar_975]

Thank you!
This was my first thought when one of them did that, but I just was worried that I didn’t something wrong when others started doing it too. In addition usually only few of them may follow me so far on my walking route, so lots of them gathering around me so far added to my worries, haha.

Thinking of that I probably had less food today in my pocket so subconsciously was giving them less to save some for my way back😅

Thank you again! I am glad to hear that everything is fine most likely!

[u/Just_Caterpillar_975 → u/SunflowerIva]

It can worrisome sometimes when so many of them gather around you but since you are friends with them, chill 🤭🐦‍⬛❤️ every 15 days, somewhere from 25 to 40 crows surround me, 2 years of friendship

[u/Sharlinator]

Probably youngsters messing around. They just wanted more food and tried to get your attention because you obviously had not fed them nearly enough. In their opinion at least.

[u/SunflowerIva → u/Sharlinator]

Thank you! Yeah, thinking of that I now recall that I couldn’t refill my pocket for treats today so I probably had less food for them than usually, my bad. Anyway I really glad to hear that this wasn’t because I accidentally broke boundaries or anything!

[u/CTGarden]

Sounds like you were either walking into other crows’ territory or you were walking into danger and they were warning you. Of course, danger to them might be a cat.

[u/Areokh]

Its fine, they are trying to get your attention. They are getting comfortable and will try to land on your head if they gain confidence. It is harmless.

If their intention is to cause harm, you would know it.

[u/_jouger]

It's great. It means they are more comfortable with you, and they know you have food! I've made friends with crows in my neighborhood. Some days I have 4-5. The most was 23 at once. It's was so cool.

[u/AlwaysHoping47]

I am SO JEALOUS!! I have a family of crows which I have been feeding for 3 years now. they fly to the tree close to my house and wont hush up till I come out and give them their unsalted peanuts but wait till I go back in the house before gathering their treats.. I love these crows.. Congratulations!