Saw something new for me today. I'd noticed before that crows walk slowly around the pond right at the shore line. I was curious so I watched one for a while today. First he caught a small minnow. Next he caught a fairly large frog in his claws and took it up on the bank and ate it. So the crow seems to think it is a F1 Eagle x Heron; claws to grab the frogs and hoist them away, beak to catch minnows! Any of you guys seen that before?
Yes. They love nailing small snakes too. It's a real hoot to watch 3 or 4 dance around a snake unto they kill it!
I used t have a family hang around my ponds and I fed them bread loaf ends. Haven't see them for a couple of years.
Interesting! I knew they would steal hatchlings from other bird's nest but the pond thing was new to me. I guess they are opportunistic feeders.
Last year we had a mob of 100 or so that hung around. This year just a couple. My wife throws them the old bread and buns as well.
Very very crafty and intellgent birds. Btw I have a bird book that calls American crows "fish crows."
Bill,
Yes, we have crows a plenty in SE Texas...they will wreck the solitude of a serene morning quicker than anything with their incessant cawing. When we are hunting, they take great joy in letting the woodland creatures know that we, the hunters, are there. Didn't realize a bird could make so much darn noise. Agreed, they are a fairly intelligent species despite being an annoyance.
Very very crafty and intellgent birds. Btw I have a bird book that calls American crows "fish crows."
Fish Crows are a smaller species of Crow that are mainly in the south. They winter along large rivers, and go somewhat north in the spring. They make a distinctive "uh-uh" or "uh-o" sound.
I used to be annoyed by the noise. Now it's part of what I expect and rather enjoy the sound of s few crows. I watch them walk the banks of my forage pond looking for an easy meal.
Very very crafty and intellgent birds. Btw I have a bird book that calls American crows "fish crows."
Fish Crows are a smaller species of Crow that are mainly in the south. They winter along large rivers, and go somewhat north in the spring. They make a distinctive "uh-uh" or "uh-o" sound.
Thanks. I must have read that wrong. Definitely not a bird expert although I've identified at least 50 species of birds on my property.
I think my older brother married her!! Dan
I've been watching the crow the last couple of days and was surprised to see it catching toad after toad. I didn't think anything ate toads. It rips them open, eats something inside and then catches another one.
They like the entrails of fish too.
Toad livers and gizzards...yum yum.
About the crows.
I was staying at a motel in Northport all last week, got home yesterday.
Sitting outside Saturday, I noticed some crows at the bird feeders in front of the office.
Not much room up there for more than 2, but the ones at the feeders were scooping seeds out onto the ground for everyone else, and they congregated on the ground for a feed bag. Bunch of other birds, as well as a squirrel were taking advantage.
Hawk buzzed down by the bushes about 30' away, then up on the roof, then to a tree. Everyone split like really fast.
Sat there for about 2 hours watching the gutsy birds go grab a snack, but no crows.
I thought it was interesting.
I once saw a group of crows hopping around in my neighbors yard with an obviously distressed rabbit running circles around them. They had killed four baby bunnies but two survived to run into the thicket with their mother after I crashed the party. I regularly see them flying out of my lower ponds on the way up. Thanks for the post... I know why now. The first time I saw a flock fly out this Spring I was expecting to find a dead deer or gut pile. My neighbor seems to think "deer season" is simply a suggestion...