This photo is actually a few years old. I took it while waiting for the bus one evening.
The Portland downtown crows are a thing:
The Downtown Portland Crow Roost
For more than a decade, crows have been gathering throughout the fall and winter to roost in downtown Portland. This roost has been gradually growing over time to the point where today, at its peak, it can exceed 15,000 birds. The sight of thousands of birds converging on the downtown area is truly spectacular.
I first wrote about the crows in January and February of 2013. And in 2018 I posted this same photo.
I remember one time Bob and I came out of an evening event and the crows were in full force. There was a guy with a hawk or maybe a falcon (?) who was part of a project trying to scare them off. I guess that was an early strategy. Now it’s just part of the landscape and a lot of blocks use pressure washers.
WINTER (November-February)
Peak Urban Roost
Nov-February- Counts observed between 6000-22,000
Many mornings when I get off the bus they are going full tilt. I kinda like it but I also walk fast and tell them: Don’t poop on me. Don’t poop on me.
Sometimes, on the bus going home, if it’s near dusk I’ll see groups of crows headed back to downtown for the night.
