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Crows, American and fish, both have 2011 breeding efforts underway. Most by now have a least eggs in nest, many with chicks. As chicks increase in size, adults will become more brazen in efforts to acquire food. Three month old chicks too large for crows to take but since crows approximate hawks in size and operate mostly overhead, chicks will be unnerved. Crows may steal some feed but will be concentrating on animal prey to feed their brood. This time of year they will not be as likely to take on prey items that can not be carried back to nest in beak.
Lots of birds use shed feathers in nest construction. Light weight, excellent insulation, and with some species weave well to give strength and volume.
Foraging by American crows here most restricted this time of year. Nest likely not more than a few hundred feet away. Dad does bulk until chicks come into pen feathers that start to open enabling chicks to thermoregulate better as group in nest. Dad may have a helper as well, usally from last years brood. Around here, usually more than one nest in close proximity to each other. Males, and helpers if present, often forage together. They like to stay in earshot of females in case alarm call given. Communication you here may be intended for females back at nests or rival foraging groups of males. Much of what you hear also contact calls between foragers. They may appreciate you leaving food but take into consideration that can make a considerable racket. At some point chicks will fledge at which point they will start making some really distinctive calls when begging for food. A couple to few days later, they will leave natal tree to follow adults around as they forage and begging for food. Begging stops about two weeks following fledging. Juveniles will appear charcoal grey and fly differently. Takes time for them to acquire full flight capabilites of adult. Their voices will also be different from adults at least through fall.
