Glasgow Uni’s battle with ‘murder of crows’ causes chaos on campus

The University of Glasgow is currently battling with a “murder of crows”, and they’re causing chaos on campus.

The rowdy flock of crows has descended on the University of Glasgow’s Hillhead campus, wreaking havoc and leaving staff battling to protect the grounds and facilities.

The birds — collectively known as a murder of crows —  have been spotted pecking at floodlights, tearing up new turf and targeting anything shiny.

Posting on X on Tuesday 21st of October, one of the university’s duty managers compared the situation to Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 horror classic The Birds.

He wrote: “Our south facade floodlights were damaged over the weekend by a murder of crows, who are going around campus pulling everything apart!

“The other week it was the new turf, this week it’s anything shiny…They literally are massive, they stand their ground and stare you out!”

Another staff member joked: “Am sure they get to campus on the #15 bus, down the Crow Road.”

A University of Glasgow spokesperson confirmed that inspections were underway to assess the extent of the damage.

They said: “We’re aware of an increase in the number of crows on our main campus. Unfortunately, they’ve caused some minor damage to external lighting.

“Our maintenance teams are inspecting the affected units and will carry out repairs once assessments are complete.”

Typically solitary, crows sometimes gather in large, noisy flocks — especially in urban areas where food is plentiful. The highly intelligent birds are known to recognise and remember human faces for years after encounters.

The Hillhead campus has also long been home to other feathered residents. In recent years, peregrine falcons have nested in the university’s iconic Gilbert Scott Tower.

Most Read

MAFS UK 2025 couple make it to end of the show but have since split after shock revelation

What happened with the woman who died at David Harbour’s apartment, as it resurfaces again

‘Sinister’ David Harbour note to Lily Allen resurfaces after her damning claims in new album

Earlier this year, one of the chicks, named Jack, died from bird flu in June after hatching alongside his brother Victor in late April.

At the time, the Glasgow Peregrine Project said: “The SSPCA assessed Jack and deemed that he had likely contracted bird flu and sadly, had to put him down to ease his suffering.”

Jack and Victor’s parents, known as Bonnie and Clyde, have nested at the tower since 2022 — and remain the university’s most welcome winged inhabitants.

Featured image via Canva