Raven Behaviour
Several years ago *(January, 2011) I took these photos posted below and I had identified the birds as crows. I believe my identification was incorrect and they were Ravens, not crows, as I had assumed. Shortly after my posting, I received the following message from an internet acquaintance living in upstate New York ;
"Sent my son to your crow blog since he knows a crow expert at the university he works at, and she says your photos were fine examples of "cuddling" behavior among ravens."
Yesterday morning I saw these two crows shown above, side by side on a branch of an old dead tree. They looked and appeared to be very companionable
together.
Then I
noticed that the crow on the right appeared to be feeding the crow on the left. I pulled my car over onto the shoulder of the road and stopped hoping to capture in pictures what was going on between the two crows.
The crow on the right seemed to be picking something up from the branch it was standing on.
Once more the crow on the right appeared to be feeding the crow on the left.
"Sent my son to your crow blog since he knows a crow expert at the university he works at, and she says your photos were fine examples of "cuddling" behavior among ravens."
Yesterday morning I saw these two crows shown above, side by side on a branch of an old dead tree. They looked and appeared to be very companionabletogether.
Then Inoticed that the crow on the right appeared to be feeding the crow on the left. I pulled my car over onto the shoulder of the road and stopped hoping to capture in pictures what was going on between the two crows.
The crow on the right seemed to be picking something up from the branch it was standing on.
Once more the crow on the right appeared to be feeding the crow on the left.
Is this usual observable behaviour between crows? I haven't observed this sort of happening before!
The action did not appear to create any hostility between them..
As I was parked along the highway, I drove on leaving the crows behind.. They were not to be seen when I passed that spot again on my way home.
The action did not appear to create any hostility between them..
As I was parked along the highway, I drove on leaving the crows behind.. They were not to be seen when I passed that spot again on my way home.
12 comments:
Wow, Ann, this is different. We have a lot of Crows here, and I get to see them every day, and have never seen this type of behavior. I'll be interested to see if someone knows why.
Have a great day.
B.
You got some very nice shots. I'm quite interested to know what you find out about their behavior!
It could be courting behavior..I know that cardinals start feeding their mate before they begin nesting, Great series on crow behavior!!
Interesting! I agree it's probably courting behavior - like giving presents and hoping to find favor...
That does seem to be unusual behaviour for birds.I have never heard of it before.You captured this moment well.
Ruth
I tested this behavior with Suzanne today on the chance it was a courting ritual. No luck. She seems to respond better to my Bird of Paradise dance.
Its great to watch birds at this time of year. So much to observe.
I agree with the courting behaviour.
Fascinating to watch bird behaviour.
I love this post. Crows have such odd behaviors but you've captured something special.
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