Murder isn’t too common here in Minnesota – unless it’s winter, and we’re talking about a murder of crows. There’s one that descends upon Minneapolis, Minnesota, every year, and it’s one of the strangest sights you’ll ever see. The flock is thousands of crows deep, and it only keeps growing. Evidence of the crows is all around. They can be spotted on power lines and fenceposts, circling the sky, or gathered in trees. Their caws fill the skies, and their droppings cover the sidewalks – and even some unlucky cars. But what’s the story with this murder of crows in Minnesota? Where do they come from, and why are they here? Read on to learn the details of this unusual phenomenon that happens during winter in Minnesota.

There's a murder of crows in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that consists of up to 10,000 birds. Known by many as the Minneapolis Mega-Murder, the group of crows flies over the Twin Cities every winter.
Marcus Metropolis/Flickr
These Minneapolis crows are a sight to be seen if you have the opportunity to catch a glimpse!
By day, the crows disperse to forage for food. They may venture up to 30 miles away from Minneapolis, so many suburbs of the Twin Cities also experience an influx of crows in the winter.
NAPARAZZI/Flickr
Crows in Minnesota congregate together when they reach the Twin Cities.

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At night, the crows return to Minneapolis. In recent years, they've roosted in groups of thousands of crows near Loring Park. Look into a tree in the area at night, and might just see thousands of crows looking back at you.
jmawork/Flickr
It’s a stunning sight to see so many crows in Minneapolis.
So why do the crows gather in such large numbers? Some believe that it helps the birds survive in winter, when food is more scarce. The group has a better chance of survival when they stay with other birds to find food and escape predators.
Andrea Gutierrez/Flickr
The crows in Minnesota have learned that the odds of survival are better when they all join together.
The Minneapolis Mega-Murder has become so well-known that there's even a Facebook group that tracks sightings of the crows. Next time you're in the Twin Cities, keep an eye on the sky. You might spot the murder yourself!
lyellnesbit/Flickr
If you’re wondering if crows migrate in Minnesota, now you know! These epic birds are absolutely wonderful to watch in motion.

Have you ever seen the Minneapolis Mega-Murder? Where did you spot it? Have you seen any other large murders of crows in Minnesota? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking for more great places to visit in the state? Check out these 16 unforgettable places in Minnesota to visit this winter.

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Crows in Minnesota

Megan McDonald | December 02, 2022

Do crows migrate in Minnesota?

Crows migrate within Minnesota during winter, but they don’t usually migrate out of the state. Canadian crows can sometimes migrate down to Minnesota, but crows native to Minnesota usually migrate southwards within Minnesota for food. You will see crows, and their northerly counterparts, ravens, throughout the state all year long.

What do crows do during Minnesota in the winter season?

Crows stay in Minnesota during the winter season and flock together in numbers as high as 10,000 crows. Every morning crows will leave their communal roost and search for food for the day. They spend the day searching for food before returning to their roost when the sun goes down.

Crows in Minnesota eat:

    • Bugs and insects
    • Corn
    • Wheat
    • Fruit
    • Berries
    • Vegetables
    • Carrion
    • Seeds
    • Mice
    • Eggs

 

Do crows stay in Minnesota in the winter?

Yes, crows stay in Minnesota in the winter. You can find them year-round all over the state, although ravens are more common in northern Minnesota, crows may sometimes migrate towards southern Minnesota. Crows in Minnesota are well suited to the local environment and can withstand colder temperatures happily. There is enough food to keep them fed during the winter, and if necessary, they will also eat trash and other scavenger foods.

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