What Happens When 20,000 Crows End Up in Portland Each Fall

City Cast Portland · Oct 23, 2025 · 24m

Every year around this time, more than 20,000 crows pour into downtown Portland. At night, they fill the trees, rooftops, and power lines. And honestly, we don’t fully know why they are here and where they come from. Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking with Gary Granger, one of the city’s leading crow experts. Though not an ornithologist, he’s spent nearly a decade walking the streets at night, counting crows block by block. He’s here to share what he’s learned, how the city’s trying to manage them, and why their nightly arrival is one of Portland’s most fascinating winter rituals.

To…