The crows gathered in their war room. Part 1.

Oh, yes, they were determined to chase a hawk out of their territory.

So, they sat and discussed their plan of attack.

They are Pied Crows (Corvus albus), and I have recently showed you their enemy in a previous post. It is now mating and nesting season here, and the crows are determined to protect their young when they are born. Their enemy has a torrid reputation as a nest raider, as it feasts on the newborn babies, by raiding the nests. Now let me tell you that the crows also have a bad reputation, as during droughts and desperate times, they go to the farms to attack the young lambs by ripping out and eating the lambs' eyes. So, we cannot blame the farmers for not liking the crows.

The crows' plan was to send out spies in a search for the hawk, and then the spies would return to report what they had seen.

If a spy was not sure about any area, then the crows would leave en-masse to go and inspect the area.

So, they waited ready for action.

Another spy came in to report, and I don't know what the spy has seen, as almost all of the crows took off to go and have a look.

No joy, as they all returned.

Here is an example of the enemy, it is a Harrier Hawk, that hunts here for babies every winter season. The Harrier Hawk (Polyboroides typus) is a very sly hunter, as it sits hidden in a high tree to watch where the birds build their nests. When the babies are born and both of the parents are away searching for food to feed their baby, then the hawk strikes, by ripping the baby out of the nest and flying off with it.

Now you will have to wait for Part 2 to see the eventual action, and I can tell you that it is not a very nice sight.

It is said that the Pied Crows are some of the most intelligent species of the feathered world. Some people even keep them as pets and teach them to talk. Masters of flight, in the strong winds, and I have seen them many times during storms where there is no other bird to be seen in the sky. They float high up on the thermals, and they like to play games in flight with a partner. But of course, they can also be very vicious, especially against their enemies and that is what Part 2 will be all about.

I hope you have enjoyed the pictures and the story.

Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Canon PowershotSX70HS Bridge camera.

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