Well, that blows. A hawk just killed the crow babies in my backyard

[sugarbeth]

There is a big place in my heart for the corvids, and I always enjoy watching our little family of crows that frequents our yard each summer. Just the other day, I was staining our deck and one of the parents was friendly enough to land on the deck railing to say "hey".

Just now, there was a huge crow mob in our backyard - at least a hundred of them. I knew something was in the nest, but I couldn't see it. The crows were going crazy with panic, but they were helpless to drive the intruder away. Then all of a sudden a huge hawk emerged with a baby in it's claws and the crows taking off after it.

I am just bawling over here. These were MY babies. I didn't even have a chance to see them yet.

(I know that crows steal a lot of songbird babies, and it's karma and nature and all that, but dangit, I was looking forward to meeting these kids.)

[Lisa B]

yeah, its heartbreaking. sorry you had to see that...

Last year I was sitting on my front porch.........listening to some commotion going on....I heard lots of bluejays going nuts....all of a sudden I see a crow, with a baby bluejay dangling upsidedown from its claws flying down the road. the parents were screaming chasing it, and the baby was screaming as it was carried off....I was sick over it as well, and hope I dont have to see or hear anything like that again.

[Ashling]

The hawk is the Raven/ crow's worst enemy. I'm surprised they couldn't drive it off- usually they are quite good at cawing at hawks and bombarding them until they high tail it out of there. I'm sorry aswell that you saw that. There will be more babies don't worry! Are they Ravens or crows? What species?

[sugarbeth]

Thanks guys. :) Our crows are just basic American Crows. The Ravens are found more in the mountain areas around here.

[Icednova625]

Sometimes nature is pretty harsh. Sorry you had to see it.

[Ashling]

Crows are so smart :) Smarter than dolphins!
Again I'm sorry <:)

[scarlett6]

We love the wild birds too and have a lot of feeders out that we enjoy watching. There is a Cooper's Hawk who visits my yard frequently and he really makes me mad. He acts like this is his personal lunchroom. One day, when I heard the Bluejays start screaming like crazy, I rushed outside knowing what probably was about to happen and tried to scare him off. I have never had this happen before-instead of flying away from me, he flew right at me...

My husband is a biologist. He has informed me that migatory birds are protected under a federal law that dates back to around 1918. You cannot even own one or handle one without special permits. There is a large fine and possible prison sentence for breaking this protective law. I know this behavior is as nature intended, but it sure is hard to see this bird protected and my beautiful birds at the feeder taken for snacks...

Summary of act if interested:
MIGRATORY BIRD TREATY ACT: Summary from Federal Wildlife Laws Handbook

[Buteo]

It's hard to watch.... but as we all agree it's nature in action.

Personally, I'm much more upset to find on my lawn the remains of local song birds killed by the pet cats of my neighbors.

Their cats can wander across anyones front, side or completely fenced backyard, relieving themselves where-ever & when-ever they wish and acting as an urban terrorist to all the native wildlife we try to attract.....
but should my dog pee on a blade of grass at the edge of their property & LOOK OUT, here comes a complaint to city Bylaw!!!
(((Sorry for the mini rant folks.)))