Non traditional birds for training?

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Working with the new pup, but I need some birds.....I have some homers, but they aren't adjusted to the area yet, and I don't want to fly them just now.
I used to be able to get pigeons under the roadways....9/11 has changed that, and I don't have the resources to pay $5/bird for pigeons.
Crow season is approaching......any thoughts on using dead crows as a training aid? What about birds such as starlings, English sparrows, ect (non are protected by law). Right now, I'm just looking at using them for retrieving practice.'
Any thoughts?