"They do not attack people or spread avian influenza"
Suwon City urges residents to avoid walking or parking under power lines
Flocks of crows, which are migratory birds in winter, have appeared in large numbers in downtown areas of southern Gyeonggi Province, causing a surge in citizen complaints. The reasons include the destruction of natural habitats and climate change. In particular, the cities of Suwon and Hwaseong have seen especially large flocks, prompting local governments to issue public advisories.
Earlier this month, Suwon City posted a public notice warning residents about the appearance of large numbers of crows. While these birds do not attack people or spread diseases such as avian influenza (AI), concerns have been raised about damage caused by their droppings, as they tend to form large flocks and live in groups.
Crows are migratory birds that arrive during winter. They are small in size and highly gregarious, forming large flocks. During the day, they forage in farmland, and after sunset, they move into urban areas to rest on street trees and power lines.
Suwon City expects the crows to appear frequently from November through March of the following year, mainly between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m. Key areas include the vicinity of Ajou University, Mangpo-dong, Ingye-dong, and Gwonsun-dong. Residents are advised to avoid walking or parking vehicles under power lines in these areas during these times.
On social networking services (SNS) and various online communities, citizens have been sharing their experiences of witnessing the crows. Testimonies include, "When you pass in front of Ajou University, the road looks white because of all the droppings," and "It seems like there are not just hundreds, but thousands of them."
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