What birds (are you/have you been) watching? What birds have been watching you?

[oddoneout]

There was a red kite out and about this morning, that I think was nominally in hunting mode but was struggling with the very strong gusty wind. Interestingly the pigeons didn't seem unduly bothered and continued to fly around as usual, and I think the reduced presence of smaller birds had more to do with the weather than the kite.

[Bryn]

There was a red kite out and about this morning, that I think was nominally in hunting mode but was struggling with the very strong gusty wind. Interestingly the pigeons didn't seem unduly bothered and continued to fly around as usual, and I think the reduced presence of smaller birds had more to do with the weather than the kite.

Not the best of hunters are Red Kites. They are more into carrion.

[oddoneout]

Not the best of hunters are Red Kites. They are more into carrion.

And presumably the re-introduction programme, which used dead meat at feeding stations, would have reinforced that behaviour? I'm not sure what the levels of carrion are in this neck of the woods, since it's an arable county and, despite the very large pheasant population, the quantity of roadkill in general is offset by lower traffic levels.

[LezLee]

My sister sees many red kites above her house in Harrogate and although the main road is busy, the kites are mainly above the allotments.
Northerners will be aware of the principle of 'carrion out' as in KFC or the local Chinese.

[ardcarp]

We heard a blackcap today. What a fantastic 'song' they have. It sounded even better than this Youtube clip...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLkBVToXR9I

...and there was less wind/traffic background noise.

[Serial_Apologist]

My sister sees many red kites above her house in Harrogate and although the main road is busy, the kites are mainly above the allotments.
Northerners will be aware of the principle of 'carrion out' as in KFC or the local Chinese.

Not Carry On as in Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Williams & co, then?

[LMcD]

Not Carry On as in Hattie Jacques, Kenneth Williams & co, then?

No - as in Herbert von ....

[Serial_Apologist]

No - as in Herbert von ....

[LMcD]

During a visit to the municipal cemetery this morning we witnessed a sustained series of 'dive-bombing' attacks on a fox by a group of crows. The poor creature ended up hiding behind a small shrub, at which point the attacks ceased. Were there fledglings or eggs in nests in the vicinity, or were the crews just feeling particularly belligerent for some reason - some repeatedly came within an inch or two of the fox's head.

[Serial_Apologist]

During a visit to the municipal cemetery this morning we witnessed a sustained series of 'dive-bombing' attacks on a fox by a group of crows. The poor creature ended up hiding behind a small shrub, at which point the attacks ceased. Were there fledglings or eggs in nests in the vicinity, or were the crews just feeling particularly belligerent for some reason - some repeatedly came within an inch or two of the fox's head.

Crews describes them rather well, actually.

[vinteuil]

During a visit to the municipal cemetery this morning we witnessed a sustained series of 'dive-bombing' attacks on a fox by a group of crows. The poor creature ended up hiding behind a small shrub, at which point the attacks ceased. Were there fledglings or eggs in nests in the vicinity, or were the crews just feeling particularly belligerent for some reason - some repeatedly came within an inch or two of the fox's head.

... the country lore of my Wiltshire childhood was that if you saw a lone black corvid, it were a crow - if you saw a group, then them was rooks.

Is there no truth in this?

.

[Serial_Apologist]

... the country lore of my Wiltshire childhood was that if you saw a lone black corvid, it were a crow - if you saw a group, then them was rooks.

Is there no truth in this?

.

I seem to remember once reading likewise. But, if once true, it certainly doesn't apply around these parts, where crows plentifully gather in large groups in Crystal Palace Park's larger open spaces, particularly on the terraces. The odd rook, jackdaw or magpie can sometimes be seen among them, but never outnumbering the crows.

[Padraig]

... the country lore of my Wiltshire childhood was that if you saw a lone black corvid, it were a crow - if you saw a group, then them was rooks.

Is there no truth in this?

.

Same round here, v. I took this to mean, from my own observations, that single corvids were the carrion crows - I have two near me. Rooks, sometimes in small groups, mix with jackdaws foraging on the front lawn, while the crows keep to the rear.
Glad to see you back, v, but where is Richard when we need him?

[jayne lee wilson]

... the country lore of my Wiltshire childhood was that if you saw a lone black corvid, it were a crow - if you saw a group, then them was rooks.

Is there no truth in this?

.

Yes there is. Rooks are essentially colonial, breeding in large groups - Rookeries - and staying together all year round. You may of course see a straggler or two usually seeking food.

Crows are territorial - they nest singly and are most often seen in small groups, singles or pairs otherwise, but may indeed form larger groups for feeding advantages or in roosts, outside the breeding season. Human habits i.e.food waste rubbish dumps stubble etc may encourage any species to gather where an advantage to their survival may be gained; so behaviour may be modified due to local conditions around the world. Corvids are highly intelligent, very adaptable species.

The famous Macbeth quote "Light thickens, and The Crow makes wing to the Rooky wood" may well be based on the essential observable difference between the species.

Jackdaws are similarly gregarious as Rooks, but somewhat less colonial at nesting time although you may find a number of nests close together. When the young fledge, they will often form noisy crèches all screeching loudly to be fed...! A cherished feature of my Summer. How oddly quiet it seems when they disperse.

In Winter here out on the fields, Crows and Jackdaws will often be seen feeding in loose straggly groups, Magpies Pigeons and Gulls often among them.

[LMcD]

... the country lore of my Wiltshire childhood was that if you saw a lone black corvid, it were a crow - if you saw a group, then them was rooks.

Is there no truth in this?

.

Basically, it's true, but these were definitely crows - behaving like crews missiles! According to the RSPB 'Crows are among the most frequent mobbers'.