Public Pest Number One?
House crows were first introduced to Singapore to control rhino beetles on oil palm farms.
Unlike crows in more northerly countries, the crows of Singapore are able to breed year-round because of the warm climate—sparking a population boom.
Highly adaptable, the black birds thrive in the city, using man-made materials for constructing nests, feeding on leftovers, raiding orchards and gardens, and nipping food from al fresco dinner tables.
(Related: "Crows Have Human-Like Intelligence, Author Says" [June 6, 2006].)
In the evenings the birds flock in the thousands, creating an enormous ruckus atop the city's many high-rise apartment buildings. And the crows' frequent tanglings in electric wires have made them culprits in several power outages.
The crows may also be a danger to Singapore's native bird populations.
"They do take bird eggs and nestlings," said Navjot Sodhi, a professor at the National University of Singapore, who co-authored Winged Invaders: Pest Birds of the Asia Pacific.
As for human victims, there have been numerous reports over the years of dive-bombings—a particular danger during nesting season, says Y.C. Wee, a local bird-watcher.
"Crows are at their most aggressive nature when chicks are in the nest," Wee said. "There was a case when a chick fell out of the nest and passers-by were systematically attacked, especially those who tried to rescue it."
According to local lore, a certain type of Singaporean might be more vulnerable than others. "There is a suspicion that they may attack people with a bald patch on their head. There have been cases of crows drawing blood in their attacks," Wee said.
So what can the average, gunless Singaporean do to deter crows?
According to the local government, citizens should cinch their garbage bags, cover their trash cans, and prune their trees to deter nesting.
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