Of course I didn't have my camera handy...argh

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

03/31/2014 11:28:46 AM · #1

On the way into town this morning I saw two crows sitting on the ground, huddled together, and not looking too happy. In fact if crows could be said to look cowed, I'd say they were.

Reason being that about 20 feet away, sitting amidst an explosion of black feathers and atop a very dead crow, was a redtail hawk, who didn't even flinch as I slowed for a better look. Hawk and prey were only about 30 ft away from the road.

So damn! First nice sunny day in forever, great light, and there's a redtail finally giving the crows their druthers. I also arrived too late to see what actually happened, but I bet it would have been damn spectacular.

Nothing against crows and other corvids per se, I respect their intelligence and resourcefulness. But having seen more than one raptor being hassled into dropping or abandoning its hard-won prey because of some jackass crows, I think it's high time the raptors won every so often.

And who knows? Maybe this won't be the last time that I'll see that redtail eating crow. Wonder if the crow's buddies will eat him too.

Message edited by author 2014-03-31 11:29:33.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

03/31/2014 11:35:34 AM · #2

Given the intelligence of those black devils, I'd sure like to know how they perceived the situation. Hard to have sympathy for them, that's for sure!
Well, at least they were dressed appropriately for f funeral ;-)

ETA: Link to an article about cognition in crows :-)

Message edited by author 2014-03-31 11:47:21.

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

03/31/2014 01:42:55 PM · #3

Awesome!!! At least you got to see it!

Wildlife is truly fascinating -- regardless of whether it's awesome, gross, disgusting, brilliant -- it's always fascinating. :)

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

03/31/2014 02:03:18 PM · #4

I saw a crow dive-bombing a hawk the other day, but didn't have a camera then either (and was driving anyway) ...

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

03/31/2014 02:05:32 PM · #5

Originally posted by GeneralE:

I saw a crow dive-bombing a hawk the other day, but didn't have a camera then either (and was driving anyway) ...

That was last weeks challenge... :)

Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS

03/31/2014 06:36:42 PM · #6

Driving home today, passed the scene of the corvidicide...only a few bits of black down and a couple feathers sticking up. So either the corpse got truly torn up, or carried off either by the hawk or a fox/coyote.

And to add insult to injury, as I was heading into Ottawa I saw a white bird about 200 ft up flapping slowly along over a large empty field...slow down, check the wings for any sign of black tips? Nope? So yeah, it's a snowy owl. OF COURSE. Damndamndamn.

ETA: I haven't dismissed the possibility that the hawk I saw was a rough-legged hawk, but imnsho it screamed redtail to me. Big redtail, probably female, but a redtail. And she looked pretty proud of herself! Hopefully she'll teach her babies to pick off crows, it's not like there's a shortage of them.

Message edited by author 2014-03-31 18:37:03.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

03/31/2014 06:43:29 PM · #7

So, you're saying she had something to crow about?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS II USM Lens

04/01/2014 07:40:46 AM · #8

Originally posted by kirbic:

So, you're saying she had something to crow about?

*eyeroll* Hyuck hyuck hyuck....yeah I guess...wonder if she nabbed it in mid-air or on the ground. Guess I'll never know unless she now changes her hunting methods.

hahn23

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

04/01/2014 08:00:25 AM · #9

Crows and ravens rob and plunder the nests of hawks. Hawks are nesting now, so you may have observed the outcome of self defense of territory. The corvids and the raptors also share the general location of their nestsâ�¦ the tops of trees. In general, hawks prefer small mammals, but are quite capable of taking a raven, which could be larger than some hawks. Great-horned owls are well known for killing crows and ravens, but than again, it's a response to the corvid mobbing activity.