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Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

We have a crow pair of parents raising four young in our adjacent wetlands this summer and they are astonishing to watch. <3

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Dawn Smith's avatar

We had a Chihuahua raven and two young on the power pole and lines near the house last night. The nest further up the hill in the trees so we don't see them until they fledge but it's fun to listen to them chat before they fly off for more food....

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Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

How wonderful!!!

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Dawn Smith's avatar

Isn't it great fun to see them grow up!?!

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Stephanie C. Bell's avatar

So much fun! And what truly devoted parents!!!

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Charles's avatar

This is just fantastic.

There is a crow in my local park here, in Glasgow, Scotland, with a dramatic case of leucism. He (or she) operates entirely on their own. He’s easy to spot and rules over a small patch of territory that he never seems to leave. An interesting character!

I’ll look forward very much to the next chapter.

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Dawn Smith's avatar

I wonder if his behavior-territorial/local is a way of dealing with being leucistic, whether he is picked on outside of his territory or if he is just naturally a territorial soul. Some crows are.

I visited Glasgow once but only for a couple of days, visiting a friend, so I didn't get to know the city, just the university. I can only say the clouds/rain would wear on me.

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Charles's avatar

He’s definitely picked on. He’ll defend himself ferociously but will also hide in the ground ivy if he has to. He’s not mute but not very vocal. I have only my observations, no expertise, but it looks to me as if he’s made a virtue out of a necessity. People notice his leucism. He spends most of his time on the ground, swaggering up and down the path. He has almost no fear of humans and there’s no doubt at all that they (we! I know - not a good idea) have become a food source. People stop to look at him and he’s alert to opportunity. I had no idea that some crows are naturally territorial. Fascinating. I must get myself a beginner’s guide!

Many thanks for your reply. Much appreciated. My crow is an intellectual, he’s in the park beside the university. We had the most beautiful blue skies here this morning - honest!

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Dawn Smith's avatar

All crows are intellectuals:), but seriously. Usually territoriality in corvids is a group project, they mob any non-family intruders, so I think your friend is defending a space all his own out of necessity. I'm guessing he may not fly well? But, in his case, it may be staying quiet, having a place to hide, and 'panhandling' is a sensible survival tactic! In his case, city bird/isolated from other crows, I have no problem with feeding him as long as its not just bread, as corvids are omnivorous-will eat many things

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Charles's avatar

All crows are intellectuals! Excellent! They certainly are compared with some of my compatriots… (facepalm, etc).

He flies only in cases of dire emergency. He flaps up on to the fence and then, springing with his legs, jumps on to a tree for safety. He had half a boiled egg this morning but prefers cat kibble to blueberries. His panhandling, as far as I can see, is an amazing survival tactic. I’m really looking at crows now - it’s been great!

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Dawn Smith's avatar

Sounds like he does have issues other than being the only white guy in the neighborhood (Kidding!). On to diet: cat kibble is pretty balanced for a crow, eggs always good and I imagine he forages for some things on his own. You can try other fruits as well. And his tastes/needs may change seasonally.

Next installment on this topic arrives on Tuesday!

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Charles's avatar

I thought I was special. It turns out that I’m part of Team Crow! Spoke to a young woman who was there this morning, kibble in hand. She’s a regular and a major fan. Apparently there are others. Thanks for the dietary information - appreciated. I’ll be watching out for the next chapter.

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Marisol Muñoz-Kiehne's avatar

Crows, rooks, ravens, jays ...

Corvids’ wit, senses amaze.

Creative creatures.

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Dawn Smith's avatar

Really like the way you distill my wordiness into beautiful detail

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Janice Airhart's avatar

I've never liked crows all that much because they're noisy bullies. But I have to admit a new respect for them and their kin after reading this.

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Dawn Smith's avatar

They can be bullies but some of the little guys (our kingbirds for example) have no qualms about chasing them away from their nests and young. You'd enjoy watching that:)

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Jan Hogle's avatar

I always knew these big black birds were smart and interesting, but the details you provided are new to me! Loved this post!

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Dawn Smith's avatar

Glad you enjoyed it. I've learned a lot researching this post and the one(s) to follow. And, like you, I"ve always been impressed by the corvids.

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