Campus Life

Office of Physical Plant to begin crow relocation efforts

Approximately 3,000 migrating crows land on the University Park campus each year, causing unsanitary and unpleasant conditions. The Office of Physical Plant will attempt to relocate the crows using pyrotechnic bangers and screamers beginning Nov. 20. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Office of Physical Plant (OPP) crow relocation program is set to begin on or after Nov. 20. Office of Physical Plant crews will be using pyrotechnic bangers and screamers to relocate the crows.

The noise-making activities will occur early in the evening shortly after dusk and may continue for a few hours each night. Specific dates and locations will be determined based on crow roosting patterns and will occur only when needed. All relocation activities will be safely conducted by highly trained and experienced OPP employees.

OPP plans to continue periodic crow harassment until the birds leave for the spring. Pressure washing of sidewalks will commence as soon as the first days of warmer weather arrive.

Each year approximately 3,000 migrating crows land on the University Park campus causing unsanitary and unpleasant conditions. OPP’s goal is to discourage this mass roosting and the accompanying sanitation problems. No crows are harmed by the relocation and harassment activities.

The campus community can report bothersome crow activity and campus sanitation concerns by contacting Susan Bedsworth in OPP at sjb5001@psu.edu or by calling 814-863-9620.

Last Updated June 18, 2021

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