The young hatch following an 18-day incubation period. Ten days after they hatch, the young crows are almost fully feathered, and their eyes are open. They leave the nest at five weeks of age, and look like small adults. Young birds follow, imitate and learn from their parents all summer. Often the family group sticks together until the following spring.
Crows are both predators and prey.
As predators, they rob nests of songbirds and waterfowl, killing and eating newly hatched young, or cracking eggs. As prey, young crows and unhatched crow eggs are eaten by raccoons, opossums and tree-climbing snakes. Hawks and owls kill fledgling and adult crows. Crows are especially vulnerable to night attacks by great horned owl. They also mob hawks.