Crows are found in most areas of Nepal, from the Terai to the Himalayas. Crows are also found in good numbers in the Kathmandu Valley. Due to rapid urbanization, the habitat of crows is shrinking. Due to the lack of big trees that make the crow nest, it is becoming difficult for the crow to raise the young. Even in the midst of urbanization, crows are seen building nests and raising babies.
This photo was taken in Naikap, Kathmandu. It covers the entire stage from egg hatching to adulthood. This phase takes about 50 to 60 days to complete.
After laying eggs, the male and female take turns in the nest and hatch between 18 and 25 days. At about 5 to 7 weeks, the baby crow leaves the nest and goes out into the world. The main breeding season for crows is May, June and July.
} Due to increasing urbanization in Kathmandu, new houses are being built in the timber area where there is a safe habitat for crows. Crows that live in the trees around the timber area have started nesting on the trees in the settlement due to lack of space. This has increased the presence of crows inside human settlements. At the same time, the risk of health crises including bird flu has also increased.
The story of crows nesting inside the expanding settlement in Kathmandu’s new Naikap area shows that their habitat is shrinking. Although crows are taking risks in the absence of nesting trees, the bird borne diseases have been seen in other animals as well.
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