Forum Role: Participant
Active Since: November 2, 2016
Topics Started: 0
Replies Created: 6

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Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)
  • June
    Participant
    In Oregon, I often see crows eating squirrel carrion in local streets while dodging traffing. (We have a lot of squirrels in Beaverton.) Crows walk about in lawns, parking lots and gardens searching for insects and whatever else they can find. Crows are designated "the clean-up crew" around here. We have many crows in our area and I have a particular crow family that I feed every morning. There are 8 members of a family and they wait on my patio each morning for their breakfast of wild bird seed, nuts and sometimes left-overs from dinner (chicken or pork). I have tried feeding them fruit such as strawberries or banana, but they seem to have no interest. When I go "birding" at our local nature park, there is a family of crows who wait near the ducks for hand-outs from visitors feeding the ducks. While I was in this park last summer, a crow landed on the hood of my car and pecked at my windshield for food. It was surprising and amusing at the audacity of this crow who was brave enough to land on my car and demand food! Naturally, it got its way. Crows are fascinating birds because they are intelligent and one can actually have relationships with them. They react kindly to people they like and scold those they don't like. I look forward to seeing them in my yard each morning.  
  • June
    Participant
    I live in Beaverton, Oregon. My crow family visits my back yard every day for scraps and I have observed them for about 6 years.  This summer, there was mom, dad and 3 youngsters begging for food. At times I have seen approximately 10-15 individuals waiting for handouts. I take out breakfast for them every morning and sometimes in the evening. One particular crow sits on my fence, patiently waiting.  This crow will make a "clicking" sound at me, in an attempt to communicate.  I have seen the youngsters sitting together on the grass observing their parents searching for grubs. There are large flocks of crows occupying trees in downtown Portland that are quite amazing to see during the evening.
    in reply to: Life in a Flock #639328
  • June
    Participant
    I have heard these theories: 1.Male crows are impressing females by indicating how protective they are, thus are excellent choices for mates. 2. Crows (males) are genetically programmed to go after any bird that is intruding their territory. I wonder if Dr. McGowan agrees with either of these theories?
    in reply to: What is a Crow? #635924
  • June
    Participant
    I would love to see ravens here, too! I live in Oregon and the ravens here are found in more remote areas such as deep in the conifer forests or near water falls. The only time I have seen ravens was when I hiked at Silver Falls a few years ago. I recognized their unmistakable "croak."
    in reply to: What is a Crow? #635923
  • June
    Participant
    How interesting that you have such a variety of crows in Scotland! I have a family of crows (American crow - brachyrhynchos) here in Oregon that I feed each morning in my garden, thus I enjoy studying their habits each year. Similar to your crows, the American crow seems to know when a predator is nearby, as it will vocalize alarm calls and everyone flies off.  Also, whenever a hawk (we have many varieties here in the Pacific northwest) is near, our crows mob the hawk, continuously harrassing it, all the while vocalizing alarm calls and pecking at it whilst it flees. Such brave crows! That is always quite a sight! Another difference is that our crows seem to tolerate squirrels, despite the fact that they eat the same nuts and seeds that I put out every morning.
    in reply to: What is a Crow? #635921
  • June
    Participant
    I agree! Every cat that I own is an indoor only cat for that very reason. We have garter snakes, squirrels and chipmunks here in the northwest, thus hatchlings in our area are at high risk.
    in reply to: What is a Crow? #635918
Viewing 6 posts - 1 through 6 (of 6 total)