I take back everything I ever said about crows...

[burntumber]

Quote:
Oof. What a way to go.

Wouldn't it be more humane to shoot them? Maybe you have too many for that to be very affective.

 

[burntumber]

We have ravens where I live. I adore them- they're just awesome to watch playing in the sky. They pair off and try to grapple feet, where one has to fly upside down. Meanwhile they make the most bizarre sounds- clicks and rattles and hoots. Sometimes they pass by overhead silently, and all you can here is the "swoosh swoosh swoosh" of air as they beat their wings.

Honestly, though, ravens and crows- all corvids, actually- are hard on the wild bird populations. They mostly predate baby song birds and snatch them right out of the nests.

This is why you see little "bird wars" now and again. The crows chasing that hawk in the OP's post were defending a nest. You'll also see songbirds chasing away bluejays and crows this way- you know they're defending a nest. Watch for little birds dive-bombing a lone crow or jay. You might see a little something in the offender's beak- that would be a baby bird.

 

[speckledhen]

We have a large crow population here as well as lots of blue jays. I am always grateful when the hassle and mob the hawks over the property. They've saved my birds from an attack a few times and actually, have never bothered the garden (yet).

 

[Reinbeau]

Quote:
No, no, no offense taken, I was truly puzzled, tis all.

 

[Badhbh]

My totem animal is the crow. They're amazing birds. Yes they are opportunists like any other bird out there- if there's something tasty they'll eat it, be it a baby bird or your corn rows. That's the circle within the circle. No beginning and no ending. We're all food for something else.
Sorry, feeling philosophical today.

 

[scooter147]

One day I saw a red tail sitting on a nearby light pole, the crows were dive bombing the hawk and the blackbirds were dive bombing the crows it was quite comical.
We use to be overrun with crows here in Eastern Missouri but along came the West Nile virus and desimated the population several years ago, they are slowly growing in population again.

 

[Wyo Chick]

My husband read somewhere that a good way to get rid of hawks is to attract crows. We may have to plant a pecan tree! Are there other ways to attract crows? I don't see too many here.

 

[scooter147]

They love to roost in my big oak trees.

 

[SterlingAcres]

Quote:
I agree. I like crows.
It's been my experience that when there's a flock hanging about, there's usually turkeys in the area. Also, when they're screeching, there's hawks. So, I'm glad you had an alarm and your chickens are safe

 

[ChickPeas]

It's amazing how quick ppl are to kill. Sheesh.
:|

Crows are amazing creatures..so are hawks...it's no fun if they kill your chicken or poop on your car or eat things out of your garden, but to kill them for doing what God made them to do? Hmph. I just don't get that mentality.

I'm just glad the chickens are safe bc of those alert crows. They can come to my house any day.