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MagickMuffin

(17,136 posts)
Tue May 24, 2011, 04:37 AM May 2011

Hawks and Crows mortal enemies

I guess this is something new in my consciousness that these two groups of birds are mortal enemies.

A few months ago a Hawk couple decided to build a home in a tree in our front yard. We watched them build the nest for a few days. At times it looked as though they had abandoned it. However, I kept a watchful eye on the nest, and lo and behold they continued to make it their home.

I continued to keep track of them and still call out to them since I learned their language last year. I've found a few feathers along the way.

So, just recently I have noticed that the Hawks and Crows have been going at it. One day I found a bunch of Crow feathers in my neighbors yard. Naturally I came to the conclusion that the Hawks are feasting on the Crows.

Then the other day I watched the Hawks and Crows fighting one another over my head. This could mean trouble. Yesterday there was a commotion the Crows were sounding out the alarm for other Crows to come to the defense of a fallen mate. We had to see what was going on. We arrived at the tree where the Hawks nest is and noticed a Crow hanging upside down in some branches. We watched as it tried to set itself upright. He/She managed to free itself upright only to get trapped upside down again. We rooted for the poor thing to once again get upright. After several attempts it managed to upright itself, catch its breath and fly off. However, it didn't get very far. It managed to make it two houses down and landed on the neighbors metal awning. While in flight it held one of its legs tucked in close to its body and the other one was dangling. When it landed it did so with a loud thump.

I ran to see if it was alright. I had to stand in the street to see it, and it appeared frightened and in shock. It held its mouth open as if trying to catch its breath. I continued keeping an eye out for it.

This all happened around sunset, so I don't know the final results of what happened to the Crow.

Did it finally get better and fly away?

Did it become Hawk food?

Did it lose its battle and die on top of the awning?

I did check the next day, and saw a few feathers but they were not black, they were grayish in color.


Just felt like sharing this adventure with you guys.


7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Hawks and Crows mortal enemies (Original Post) MagickMuffin May 2011 OP
Wow! Nature in action WhiteTara May 2011 #1
It is very exciting and wonderful MagickMuffin May 2011 #2
Dear MagickMuffin emcguffie Dec 2011 #3
T for Texas; T for Tennessee MagickMuffin Dec 2011 #4
Because I knew someone known as Muffin, in Memphis. emcguffie Dec 2011 #5
yup Celebration Dec 2011 #6
Did you see that news recently about crows? emcguffie Dec 2011 #7

WhiteTara

(30,168 posts)
1. Wow! Nature in action
Tue May 24, 2011, 09:40 AM
May 2011

What a battle you saw. I'm betting the crow did fly off in the end. I've seen the crows get all excited like that when a hawk comes around. I'm sort of waiting for the day when something in our yard becomes hawk dinner. I don't think the eagles will come in this close, so it will be a hawk of which there are many here.

MagickMuffin

(17,136 posts)
2. It is very exciting and wonderful
Tue May 24, 2011, 09:22 PM
May 2011

I think that perhaps the eggs have hatched, not certain, but it does appear that one of the Hawks stands on the edge of the nest and bends over into the nest.

I thought the Hawks were going to be interested in Squirrels more so than Crows. Especially since the Hawks and Crows are near the same size. I tried doing research on which variety of Hawks I have, however, I could never figure it out. I think they are probably Cooper Hawks.

I suppose I will be getting to experience the Hawks vs. Crows for a few more weeks. Every night between 5:00 and sunset.

It must be exciting being close to where Eagles live. When we visited the Pacific NW back in '98, we were able to see the awesome Eagles. We went to Qualicum Falls on Vancouver Island and witnessed two Eagles flying over the river through the canyon. It just so happened that we were eye level with them. It was truly a Magikcal moment. I it up there.


What kind of Hawks do you have?

Update: We have been under Tornado Warnings tonight. Our weather alarm has been going off and on for several different times. Of course I had to go check it out. I watched mama Hawk ? swaying on top of her nest. We had a few hailstones fall, hopefully everyone is okay.





emcguffie

(1,924 posts)
5. Because I knew someone known as Muffin, in Memphis.
Mon Dec 12, 2011, 09:18 AM
Dec 2011

FUnny thing, a long time ago she moved west. I thought maybe to Texas. But it could have been so cal.

However, she definitely spent some time in Memphis, Tennessee!

That's all.

Celebration

(15,812 posts)
6. yup
Mon Dec 12, 2011, 05:18 PM
Dec 2011

I wasn't totally aware of this until we visited Whidbey Island, where there are bunches of eagles and crows. There was so much drama in the skies. I have lots of photos of crows chasing eagles. Unfortunately I wasn't there, but hubby took a walk and got caught in the middle of a drama with several eagles and several crows at eye level all around him. Lots of swoops, noise, etc. By the time he came to get me and I got back there, all but a couple of eagles were gone.

emcguffie

(1,924 posts)
7. Did you see that news recently about crows?
Tue Dec 13, 2011, 01:48 PM
Dec 2011

I can't remember precisely, but they were able to understand, or identify, or something, symbols. I think it was that numbers were placed on top of containers or something, to indicate how many goodies were under that whatever-it-was. And the crows learned that a larger number meant more goodies. SOmething like that, quite amazing, even for our very-bright bird friends, crows.

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