11/4/2022 0 Comments Carrion crows![]() ![]() During this tumultuous time, the presence of this pair of black-feathered beauties is certainly bringing me joy. However, as with magpies, in some cultures it is not the mere sighting of a crow but the number of birds that is significant – two crows are lucky, three bring health and four wealth. These charismatic corvids are often considered to be bad omens. The other takes a different approach, twisting a twig to weaken the wood fibres, then tugging it free. They are highly aggressive and are attracted to the scent of blood. They become so fat from their meals that they are unable to fly, forcing them to crawl along the ground. One bird vigorously bends them back and forth, almost toppling over with the effort. Carrion Crows are often found near corpses. Hooded crows are the same size and shape as carrion crows, but have a grey coloured body, with black head and wings. The carrion crow is completely black and usually solitary. The hooded crow is now recognised as a separate species from the carrion crow. CARRION CROWS FULLWhippy and full of sap, these don’t snap cleanly. This bird is a constant resident in all our southern States, extends far up the Mississippi, and continues the whole year in. Carrion crows can be seen year-round in urban and rural areas. When we started the Curlew project, I understood that a fox would take all the eggs away leaving no signs, and that a Carrion Crow would eat the eggs on the spot and so leave some eggshell behind, thus telling us what was predating the nest. ![]() The male and female have been working together to construct their high-rise abode, taking it in turns to alight on my silver birch and break off twigs. This has continued to the present day, with possibly the same pair of crows. ![]() ‘Once the tree is in leaf, the nest will be concealed from sight, but for now it is in full view of predators.’ Photograph: Ian Redding/Alamy ![]()
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