Forum Role: Participant
Active Since: February 20, 2021
Topics Started: 0
Replies Created: 5

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Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Robert
    Participant
    Are the white feathers on an American Crow a function of age or is it just genetics. I recently had binoculars on some of them that had gathered in my backyard checking out their white feathers and couldn't help but notice that some of the birds had been badly pooped upon. LOL. Obviously, they were roosting in the lower branches. I've been there myself, at times.
    in reply to: What is a Crow? #798780
  • Robert
    Participant
    I never heard of fish crows. Is that an actual species or is it a colloquialism? What is the connection to fish? Do they feed upon them? Do they skim the Hudson looking for fish? I'd be interested in knowing more.
    in reply to: What is a Crow? #798778
  • Robert
    Participant
    I think I created my own Frankenstein Monster! I just estimated between 40 and 45 American Crows in my very modest backyard this afternoon. Of course, I've been spreading birdfeed and peanuts around on the ground because of the harsh winter, as evidenced in the picture that I previously submitted. I expected them to come, albeit in not such great numbers. The timing couldn't be more perfect, because it coincided with my choosing to take this course and, believe me, I have no regrets about doing so. I learned a lot about these birds because of it and have come to greatly appreciate them. Nevertheless, I hope the neighbors don't run me out of the neighborhood on a rail! I'm counting on the Crows' departure about the end of March, based upon what I learned.
    in reply to: What is a Crow? #798777
  • Robert
    Participant
    Janet, If you're routinely putting seed out for the songbirds in your yard, the crows, for sure, are noticing. A couple or three years ago, I saw on PBS Nature a story about American Crows and facial recognition. I believe the study was done in Seattle or Portland. The study determined that crows over time can recognize whether a person is friend or foe, and can supposedly remember a person's face for up to two years. They can even recognize your gait. I walked out onto my carport this morning and a crow in a distant deciduous tree immediately started cawing. It probably thought I was getting ready to put more bird food out, but unfortunately for him or her, it's been raining all day. Enjoy the course!
    in reply to: What is a Crow? #797742
  • Robert
    Participant
    Crows Eating during a Winter Storm I live in Allentown PA and we've had 43" of snow during the past four weeks. It's been a harsh Winter. The attached picture was taken from my kitchen window, which is about 20' from the feeder. I now have a much greater appreciation of American Crows having taken this fine course. I know how to properly identify these birds and look for the gentle curve of their tail feathers while in flight. For a fairly large bird, I'm quite surprised how skittish they are, very much like Cardinals in that regard. I can barely get to within three feet of my kitchen window before they sense my presence and scatter in all directions. Even turning my kitchen sink faucet on will, at times, spook them. The other day, I saw one Crow with two peanuts in its mouth. I also saw six Crows patiently waiting for a squirrel to finish eating beneath my feeder. They had the squirrel completely encircled at a distance of about three feet and must have waited nearly five minutes before the squirrel raced away and scampered up an evergreen. I was surprised that they didn't rout the squirrel. I enjoy listening to the Crows talking to each other while perched atop trees that are a full city block apart. Often, their caws literally volley back and forth. A couple of years ago, I saw a badly injured squirrel that had been hit by a car laying on the shoulder of a busy road in town. The squirrel was still alive, albeit barely, but that didn't stop a Crow from pecking away at it, delighted at the prospect of eating a very fresh meal. That sight still haunts me. Nature can be cruel.
    in reply to: What is a Crow? #797267
Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)