World · South & Central Asia · 4 hrs ago
Kathmandu’s crows are thriving as residents grow wary
Kathmandu marked Kaag Tihar, Nepal’s annual day of the crow, around the Hindu festival of Diwali.
In Hindu tradition, crows are honored as messengers of Yama, the god of death, and people offer them food and garlands.
The birds also help clear waste by eating carcasses, and researchers describe them as adaptable city dwellers.
But some residents have become wary of crows after an avian influenza outbreak at Kathmandu’s Central Zoo involved the birds.
Crows are common at urban sites, though no published trend shows that their numbers are rising.
Ecologists say urban expansion, fewer old trees and plentiful food waste favor crows and other birds that feed on scraps.
They point to poor waste management and habitat loss as the underlying problems, while a veterinary officer has called for closer surveillance of crows.
House crows are common in Kathmandu, and anecdotal evidence suggests their numbers may be increasing, although no published trend confirms a rise.
Urban expansion, fewer old trees and plentiful food waste favor crows and other birds that can live on scraps.
Residents have grown wary of crows, particularly after the birds were blamed for an avian influenza outbreak at the Central Zoo.
A veterinary officer has called for closer surveillance of the birds, while ecologists point to waste management and habitat loss as the underlying problems.
Nepal observes Kaag Tihar, an annual day when crows are worshipped as messengers of the god Yama.
- Who
- House crows, Kathmandu residents, ecologists and a Department of Livestock Services veterinary officer.
- What
- Crows are thriving in the city as residents grow wary of them. The sources describe disagreement over surveillance of the birds and the causes of their success.
- When
- The article was published on Nov. 9, 2026. The annual Crow Conference was held on Nov. 7.
- Where
- Kathmandu, Nepal, including the Central Zoo.
- Why
- Urban sprawl, fewer old trees and plentiful food waste favor adaptable birds such as house crows. Residents are wary after crows were blamed for an avian influenza outbreak at the Central Zoo.
Department of Livestock Services veterinary officer
Ecologists
Aspect
Department of Livestock Services veterinary officer
The officer called for closer surveillance of crows after an avian influenza outbreak at the Central Zoo involving the birds.
Ecologists
Ecologists say poor waste management and habitat loss are the real problems.
Aspect
Department of Livestock Services veterinary officer
The birds were blamed for the outbreak, prompting concern about their presence.
Ecologists
Crows help remove decaying waste and are regarded as nature’s scavengers.
Ramesh Dulal held his annual Crow Conference in Kathmandu.
Mongabay published its article on relations between people and crows in Kathmandu.
- Study finding
- Crows were the most common species at urban sites in a Valley-wide study.
- Confirmed population trend
- No published trend shows crow numbers rising.
- Annual event
- Kaag Tihar, the day of the crow, falls around the Hindu festival of Deepawali.
- Crow Conference
- Ramesh Dulal has organized the event every year; this year it was held on Nov. 7.
What people are saying
Crows help keep the surroundings clean by feeding on carcasses.
They are often regarded as nature’s scavengers,