I live in the country, surrounded by grass land (or lack thereof, in the current drought). I battle grasshoppers yearly, and plant trap crops, and live with quite a bit of damage.

There is a crow, or a family of them, that have made a nest in the oak tree 20' away from my vegetable garden. I focus on tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and some okra, squash.

We've always had crows in the fields, but i'm not sure how i feel about them in the yard, so close to the garden (and, quite honestly, to me). While i'm not worried about anything alive they may eat- indeed, if they eat grasshoppers, i'll send engraved invitations to every crow within 10 miles- i'm worried about the garden.

The only thing i can find for sure that crows eat is "everything." Anyone with any garden experience with crows, by any chance? DO they eat grasshoppers? I've read about them eating chickens and/or chicks, but if they eat small birds too, i don't know that that bothers me. I also read about them eating baby bunnies, but not sure i mind that either- we've got PLENTY of bunnies. I don't like them cuz they're smart, and learn, but i'm willing to let bygones be bygones. Somewhere i read you can feed them, and they'll recognize you personally. I'm not against feeding them, to keep them out of the garden, but i also don't want a flock/murder/whatever-the-appropriate-term-for-a-bunch-of-them-is in the yard. From what i understand, they hang around in the family unit for a few years. And live several years. I dont' really want to encourage this.

I don't know what they eat out in the fields- they crow and fly off as soon as they see one of us. The cows may know, but they won't tell me.

thanks in advance!