Anyone use Mazuri Waterfowl Breeder feed?

[Miss Lydia]

They really do like to collect things I saw a special once about all the things they collect. And in the UK people keep them in cages as pet birds.

 

[casportpony]

@casportpony don't have any videos of Sunny stealing duck food yet, but here he is "talking" to me. I don't speak Crow, but I think he's asking for peanuts and/or duck food!

Sunny doing what I think is called a rattle call (i.e. begging?):

Sunny repeating a "coo coo" call:

how interesting! I don't think I've seen crows do that before! Thanks so much for posting those videos!
@TwoCrows, check out the videos!

 

[TwoCrows]

@casportpony don't have any videos of Sunny stealing duck food yet, but here he is "talking" to me. I don't speak Crow, but I think he's asking for peanuts and/or duck food!

Sunny doing what I think is called a rattle call (i.e. begging?):

Sunny repeating a "coo coo" call:

Awww, cute! Both of those calls are for you and any other bird that might be listening. The second call is a "come feed me" and the first one is more of a territorial call. Both in your honor. LOL Duck food will be a favorite! You've got a friend for life there.

 

[BornToQuack]

@TwoCrows fascinating! So is the rattle call a signal to other birds that our yard is his territory, or is he somehow claiming me as "his?"

Also, what I'm calling a "coo coo" call (which I love because it's so cute sounding), that's him asking for food? I've read that sometimes that sound is a mating call, so I've been hesitant to encourage it too much (don't want Starla to get jealous and think I'm trying to steal her man ).

 

[TwoCrows]

@TwoCrows fascinating! So is the rattle call a signal to other birds that our yard is his territory, or is he somehow claiming me as "his?"

Also, what I'm calling a "coo coo" call (which I love because it's so cute sounding), that's him asking for food? I've read that sometimes that sound is a mating call, so I've been hesitant to encourage it too much (don't want Starla to get jealous and think I'm trying to steal her man ).

Yes, the rattle knocking sounding call is a territorial sound. She/he is letting others know that this is their territory. Corvids have 50+ calls for communication and if you allow them to hang around long enough, you will hear quite a few. I have found that a low honking is done by the female when she is near to a potential mate or a bonded mate. (they continue to court one another all throughout their lives even after they are bonded for life). She will honk, he comes nearer to her. If they are a bonded pair, she will groom him. (this is a good way to tell male from females, males don't groom the females. Females stoop down low and flap and call out with a higher call when the male is near or next to her, similar to a baby bird.) And yes, the female will coo coo to the male to be fed, so in this case, this may actually be a female you have and she is asking to be fed by you. If she has a mate, she will have to call to him to feed her on the nest, this is the call she will make.

I have studied these birds, Crows and Ravens, for 30+ years by feeding them daily. I feed dry dog or cat food. They have been hanging around my yard here for 25 years, I just can't get enough of the Corvids!!

 

[BornToQuack]

@TwoCrows thanks for all of the great information! I'll admit I just assumed Sunny was male, since "he" has always been so much bolder than Starla. I'll definitely have to hang out with them more to see if I can catch a grooming session.

They seem to know their names, so regardless of gender, I'll probably keep calling them Sunny and Starla. Of course, if Starla turns out to be male, I suppose "Star" is close enough. Either way, I doubt they really care what I call them as long as treats are involved.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Do your ducks mind them hanging around?

 

[BornToQuack]

@TwoCrows since we're on the topic of crows, last spring Sunny and Starla brought their fledgling over to say "hi." I'm sure they were just showing him/her where to get snacks, but I was so honored that they trusted me enough to let me get so close to their baby!

These pictures are from the first visit. I didn't even notice him/her on the car until I'd gotten into the passenger seat (hence the awkward photo from inside the car).

 

[BornToQuack]

Do your ducks mind them hanging around?

They don't seem to really care. I've never seen them chase the crows, and they just watch as the crows steal their food/drink from the pond.

Aside from how neat I think crows are, I actually like keeping them around, because they chase off hawks and keep rodents at bay.

 

[TwoCrows]

@TwoCrows since we're on the topic of crows, last spring Sunny and Starla brought their fledgling over to say "hi." I'm sure they were just showing him/her where to get snacks, but I was so honored that they trusted me enough to let me get so close to their baby!

These pictures are from the first visit. I didn't even notice him/her on the car until I'd gotten into the passenger seat (hence the awkward photo from inside the car).View attachment 1709411 View attachment 1709412

...oh how precious!! This is the joy of feeding these birds, they do grow to trust you enough around their offspring. I LOVE when babies arrive in the yard.

I am so glad you have made friends with this "couple", you have made life long friends!!