House Crows in Singapore
About house crows in Singapore and what to do when you encounter them
Last updated 31 October 2025
What are house crows?
Not to be confused with the native large-billed crow which has a more robust bill and larger size, house crows measure about 42 cm and are characterised by their black plumage and greyish collar.
Distribution & Habitat
Native to the Indian subcontinent, house crows have been introduced to various parts of the world including Singapore. They are closely associated with human settlements and thrive in urban and coastal environments due to easy access to food waste and nesting sites.
Behaviour
House crows are omnivorous, being able to feed on a wide variety of food and also scavenge for food scraps. In Singapore, their adaptability, combined with a generalist diet, has enabled them to thrive in Singapore’s urban environment.
House crows can form large communal roosts. A roost refers to an area where the crows choose to sleep. When a roost is established within residential estates, residents may face disamenities due to the noise generated.
What should I do when I encounter a crow?
If you come across crows that are injured or distressed, call our Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600 and we will send professionals who are trained in handling and caring for wildlife to assist you.
Please avoid handling the crow yourself as this may cause further stress or injury to the animal. The crow may also attack in self-defence.
Do not touch, chase, or corner the crow.
Observe the crow from a distance. Going too close to the crow may frighten them and cause them to act in self-defence.
Do not talk loudly and do not use flash photography.
Noise and light may scare and provoke the crow.
Do not feed the crow.
Feeding increases its reliance on humans for food and changes its natural foraging habits. Feeding it may encourage it to approach people for food, sometimes turning aggressive. This also causes its population to grow at an unnatural rate, affecting ecosystems that it is a part of. Feeding of all wildlife in Singapore is also prohibited under the Wildlife Act.
What should I do if I am attacked by a crow?
Reports of crows attacking people are likely due to breeding individuals defending their nests or young.
To avoid being attacked, do not stand near the nest or the area where the crows are attacking. Please do not hesitate to call our Animal Response Centre at 1800-476-1600 immediately should the attacks continue.
What should I do if crows enter or perch outside my house?
Crows are highly adaptable and opportunistic birds that forage on a wide range of food in our urban environment. Hence, they may be attracted to the food in our homes. To deter them from entering your premises, you may wish to:
Promptly remove leftover food from the sink after washing the dishes
Store all food, including fruits, in the fridge or cupboards
Keep all bins covered, preferably with heavy lids
Use deterrent products such as bird spikes to discourage perching
What is being done about the crow population?
NParks works together closely with the relevant agencies to carry out crow management efforts and ensure proper food waste management. Outreach efforts in the form of community engagement sessions, advisories and standees are also employed to raise public awareness about the negative impacts of feeding birds.
If you have further queries, please contact us through our online feedback form at https://www.avs.gov.sg/feedback.
Photo by Bryan Lim