Students battle a storm of crows at Pitt

Students at the University of Pittsburgh struggle amid the growing crow population. Here’s how the school is attempting to address the issue. 

The University of Pittsburgh is facing an unexpected aerial challenge as thousands of crows have descended upon campus during their winter migration, creating both a spectacle and a sanitation concern. The birds’ presence has prompted university officials to implement new deterrent measures while raising questions about the delicate balance between urban wildlife and campus operations.

New tactics to address growing crow population

According to The Pitt News, the university has recently added air horns to its arsenal of crow deterrents, complementing existing methods such as predator call recordings and manual noise makers. According to Dan Fisher, assistant vice chancellor of operations and maintenance for Facilities Management, these measures are particularly focused on the Cathedral of Learning and William Pitt Union areas, where crow activity has intensified.

Understanding the urban crow phenomenon

Biology teaching assistant professor Rory Carroll explains that the influx of crows is a common urban occurrence. “Cities provide warmth, they provide food, they provide light. In an area like the Cathedral lawn, it’s really just in a lot of different ways a great habitat for roosting,” Carroll said. He notes that milder winters may be contributing to the growing crow population, with birds from Canada joining local populations.

Impact on campus life

Students have reported numerous encounters with the crow population, particularly involving droppings on walkways and personal encounters. Sophomore Helen Hickey shared her experience: “I was walking to the Eatery in the evening … and one of them pooped on my shoulder.”

Maintenance challenges & solutions

The university’s 31-person grounds crew works diligently to manage the situation, employing pressure washers and scrubbers to clean affected areas. The crow management schedule operates twice daily, adapting to seasonal changes in daylight hours.

Fisher notes that these efforts are crucial for preventing “slipping hazards, especially on sidewalks in wet weather due to increased crow waste that can accumulate, as well as reduce building damage over time.”

Effectiveness of deterrent methods

Carroll points out that crows’ high intelligence presents a unique challenge: “If you’re just putting an air horn out there every night, maybe it scares them for a little bit, for the first couple of nights. After a while, they realize they aren’t in any danger, and it’s not going to be effective anymore.” This insight suggests that varying deterrent methods might be more successful in managing the crow population.

Ecological considerations

Despite the challenges, Carroll notes that crows can provide ecological benefits as omnivores that help control pest populations and even consume trash. However, these benefits must be weighed against public health and maintenance concerns.

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This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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