I have a confession to
make. I haven’t always been kind to the
crows that call Bon Bon Pond home. While
they are welcome to eat the seeds I throw on the ground, I shoo them away from
the suet feeders. On more than one occasion, I have scolded and shushed them
for making a racket. Never again.
This morning I witnessed one
of the most valiant and selfless efforts I have ever seen. While enjoying my morning coffee I heard the
excited “caw caw cawing” of an agitated crow.
Looking out the window I saw no songbirds but instead witnessed a lone
crow fly low thru the front yard, then swoop into the area adjacent to the
gazebo, before returning to his murder in the backyard.
Together the flock started
raising a ruckus. I walked out on the
deck to closer inspect the commotion and, sure as shootin’, spotted a hawk in
the dogwood tree. The crows had him
surrounded and were noisily voicing their disapproval. Finally, tired of the incessant squawking, the
bird of prey lifted from the branches and took off for across the pond. Like a fighter squadron, a group of crows closely
accompanied the magnificent marauder, thus
ensuring he wouldn’t, or couldn’t, double back.
With the raptor gone the songbirds soon appeared back at the feeders.
I was speechless. The crows had not only warned the little
birds of danger but had protected them. What brave and heroic creatures! They have forever earned my respect and, yes,
my suet.
Today offered yet one more
valuable lesson from the world of wildlife and a great reminder as to what
makes a wonderful community: watch out for your neighbors and stick
together for the greater good.
i too used to have the same opinion of crows. i thought they were bullies, scavengers and let's face it..bad luck. Then several years ago I witnessed, just as you described, a huge flock of crows coming out of nowhere and chasing off a hawk. More recently i witnessed 15-20 crows trying to chase off a Bald Eagle (needless to say the Bald Eagle was not fazed)I also learned what good parents crows are and how their offspring stay with them for years and help take care of the new offspring. I think they have a bad rap, but now i look at them just like any other bird and i see nothing but beauty :)
ReplyDeleteHi chandel314--What a great story. Thanks for sharing! Did you know that some crows never mate but instead choose to live their lives as "helpers" to the murder, assisting in the raising of the young. Talk about selfless!
DeleteWOW! i did NOT know that! Makes me love them even more :)
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