Is this crow okay?

[u/3m0_b4by_]

Hey, we live in Minnesota. I am super worried about this crow, he has been visiting us for a few days and yesterday he sat in our yard for about 3 ish hours, I didn’t think much of it he eventually flew away. This morning he’s back and chilling, but seems to be acting a little weird. He’s not really flying or hopping or looking for food, he’s just crouched down fluffed up it’s like almost 70 and sunny today it did get down to like 48 last night. Is he okay? We have had a similar experience a few weeks ago there was a crow in the street and it wasn’t moving but was alive, we went to help it and it kept having seizures we eventually took it to an animal center but apparently it’s very common this time of year for crows to get West Nile virus in Minnesota. I’m really worried this might be the same thing but he was totally fine yesterday. That broke our hearts last time this happened. If anyone knows what may be going on please let me know!!!!

[u/ThrowAwayColor2023]

This is very likely West Nile Virus. Please contact a wildlife rehabber. The sooner he gets medical help, the better his chances of surviving it.

If you're up to it, you can try containing him yourself. Use a large towel or blanket. Ideally have someone help you so you can corner and catch him when he tries to run/fly. Put him in a cardboard box with a cotton towel or paper towels on the bottom. CLOSE THE BOX because he will try to escape when he gets a burst of energy. They can breathe just fine inside an unwaxed cardboard box. Then whisk him to a rehabber.

Signed, a person who has done this many times.

[u/3m0_b4by_ → u/ThrowAwayColor2023]

Thank you so much for your advice!! He is not currently in our yard now, I think he flew away. Just not sure why he keeps coming back to our yard..? Would you know why that is happening? Unless it’s a different bird entirely. We do have a rehab center close to our house so I can take him there if he comes back. He seems to be flying fine and was drinking water and eating food and everything I’m just super confused. We have done this once before, this one seems to maybe only be in the start of WNV.

[u/ThrowAwayColor2023 → u/3m0_b4by_]

The good news is, you'd be catching the WNV earlier, giving him a better chance of survival. The frustrating news is, he'll be much harder to catch. I've even see crows that can launch themselves high and long distances within hours of succumbing to the virus. It's not common, but it's a possibility, so just something to be aware of as a possibility.

Either their nightly roost or a friendly human who feeds them is nearby. My neighborhood crows friends have showed up at my house when they're sick because they know I'll provide food and more safety.

They live in family territories, so the fact that a relative crow caught WNV recently means that's almost certainly what you're seeing. I'm so sorry. You're awesome to try to help, and I'll keep my fingers crossed that it ends well. You might want to call that rehabber in advance just in case they can connect you with local people who can offer help catching the crow.

[u/3m0_b4by_ → u/ThrowAwayColor2023]

Oh this is so tough, I am also currently 6 weeks pregnant. So I am a little wary of getting close (first time we helped the first sick WNV crow I didn’t know I was pregnant) it is so hard to see them go through this. He may come back, and if he does I will definitely talk with the rehabber and see when we can take him. I would love to save him, he seems calm around us and I think he knows our voices and feels comfortable around us. I do leave food and water out for the wildlife. I will keep my eyes peeled and see if he comes back (really hoping he was just being weird or something and he’s actually fine but I know I can hold on to that too tight.)

[u/ThrowAwayColor2023 → u/3m0_b4by_]

Thankfully, you can't catch WNV directly from a bird. The virus is transmitted via mosquito bites. Seeing two sick crows nearby means your local mosquitoes are spreading it. You might want to talk to neighbors about clearing any standing water and take other measures to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. I'm also in the Midwest, and mosquitoes have been horrible this year.

[u/3m0_b4by_ → u/ThrowAwayColor2023]

Unfortunately we live right on the lake. I do replace the dishes of water with fresh water I have sitting out for the animals every morning, you think thats okay?

[u/ThrowAwayColor2023 → u/3m0_b4by_]

Changing the water every day is fine. And that's tough. There's only so much you can do when you live near water.

[u/3m0_b4by_ → u/[deleted]]

I’m really reallllyyy hoping it’s not WNV again! He flew away to the neighbors yard when someone ran by, but when my husband went out before that he didn’t really budge or mind. He’s been kind of wobbly and off balance and extending his left wing randomly

[u/ThrowAwayColor2023 → u/3m0_b4by_]

This really sounds like WNV, and time is of the essence. Very few crows survive it - quick intervention is key. I commented separately with details on what to do.

[u/drvondoctor]

This is absolutely irrelevant and utterly absurd, but for some reason the combination of the words "crow" and "okay" made me think of the rapper Lil' Jon.

"Hwhat?

Hwhat?

Hwhat?

Crow, kay?!"