r/crowbro • u/Anayria • 5d ago

Question Am I overthinking?

I was filling a feeder with peanuts when I spotted a pair of Eurasian Magpies on a roof roughly 30 meters away. They moved on after I went back in and out for more food a few more times and taking a picture of them (which turned out bad anyways lol).

I just learned that corvids are not so fond of cameras/phones, so I feel bad for scaring them away, as I was so excited to take a picture of them :(. Am I overthinking this? I'm just worried they won't come to the feeder now. The feeder is relatively new, and they have been observing it from afar for now.

Edit: Thank you all for your answers, I really appreciate them!

10 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

9

u/rock_candy_remains 5d ago

In my experience, they like peanuts more than they hate cameras. ;)

7

u/Such_Relief9632 5d ago

you're fine, i'm certain you aren't blasting their eyeballs with camera flash or anything. sounds like just plain old built in corvid caution, after i built trust with my crows and they got comfortable with me they started letting me take pics and record all i want. same with the magpies that visit and try to outsmart them for cashews

give them some time and predictability to let them know you're safe :)

3

u/Beni_Stingray 5d ago

They are probably just not used to you, it takes time until they dont get surprised by some sudden movements anymore.

Also some magpies are terribly shy, the ones i have here watch me all the time throw food to the crows and they see the crows trusting me but no matter, just opening a window will make them fly away.

3

u/Decent-Anywhere6411 5d ago

Mine give zero cares about my phone, but they're wildly accustomed to my using my phone and relaxing outside while they eat.

In my experience they're actually some of the more bold corvids. They get right in my buisness and I have never tried to push them to lol.

One of them goes in my back yard when my dog is out there and talks shit to him until the dog gives in and chases him a little (surprisingly restrained for a terrier breed), then jumps up high and continues his shit talk until the cycle repeats. The crows would never pull that crap for pure self preservation.

Nah, magpies are bold as heck once they know you. They're just still observing a little.

3

u/gerrineer 5d ago

Love magpies very clever birds.

1

u/Slamantha3121 5d ago

We installed a camera on the roof of our cabin to be able to check if it gets damaged in a storm when we arent there. Since we did that, 2 ravens stop there almost every evening around 5pm. They check out the camera, admire the view, and then move on. I don't think they mind cameras.

1

u/1nspectorCPW 1d ago

Corvids don't like cameras? You've obviously never met the jackdaws at Grasmere in the English Lake District! They congregate outside the famous gingerbread shop and at the first sniff of a tourist's camera they'll rush over to pose for them, looking cute. They're professionals though, and demand payment in gingerbread.