A Murder of Crows!

 A Murder of Crows were making a lot of noise this morning in the Eucalyptus trees as there was a Red-tailed Hawk in the pine tree. The hawk was on the other side of the pine tree so I didn't get a picture of it, but the crows were cawing up a storm and making some spectacular dives above the pine tree.

American Crow

American Crow

American Crow

American Crow

American Crow

American Crow

American Crow

American Crow

Red-tailed Hawks Just Hanging Out

Today the crows were trying to drive away a couple of Red-tailed Hawks that were sitting in the Eucalyptus Tree. One of the hawks is wearing a "bracelet"!

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk

Red-tailed Hawk and American Crow

Red-tailed Hawk

Platform Feeder

I have a platform feeder on a post that is about six feet off the ground.  I also have a slinky on the post to keep the squirrels off.  I set up the BirdCam to see who would come to visit.

BirdCam and platform feeder

BirdCam and platform feeder

Western Scrub-Jay

Western Scrub-Jay

Western Scrub-Jay

California Towhee,

Western Scrub-Jay

Western Scrub-Jay

Western Scrub-Jay

American Crow

American Crow

American Crow

Western Scrub-Jay

Band-tailed Pigeon coming in and Western Scrub-Jay taking off!

Band-tailed Pigeon

Band-tailed Pigeon

Oak Titmouse

Morning fog with Western Scrub-Jay

American Crow

American Crow

American Crow

American Crow

Red-tailed Hawks and Crows

Today I was working the garden when I heard a large flock of crows making a lot of noise.  I went out onto the balcony and sure enough, the crows were chasing a red-tailed hawk.  I saw something large in one of the trees and grabbed my binoculars.  It was another larger red-tailed Hawk with a dead crow hanging from it talons.  For some reason the crows were not bothering this bird.  Maybe they couldn't find it?  

Red-tailed Hawk with a crow

 This second red-tailed hawk below was resting from being chased by the crows.

The other red-tailed hawk

While the red-tailed hawks were in the trees, the crows were circling and cawing.  Then all of a sudden I saw both red-tailed hawks fly down the hill and into some trees that were out of view.  I don't know what happened to the dead crow but within a few minutes all was silent again.

Circling crows

A Noisy Crow!

This crow sat in one of the peppers trees cawing up a storm.  Juvenile crows are known for making a lot of noise after leaving the nest, as they try to get their parents to feed them.  This one even cawed in flight!

American Crow

American Crow

American Crow

No Tail Pulling!

Watch the Crow pull the tail of a Band-tailed Pigeon in this short ten second video.

Who's Digging the Hole?

So the other day I noticed this hole under a step in the garden.

I placed the BirdCam right in front of the hole.  The cat was interested in the hole too and sat there for forty minutes before  walking away.

Since there are a couple of bird feeders on a pole to the left of the hole several different birds came through the garden.

California Towhee

American Crow

Here is a video of the different birds milling about.  First a Band-tailed Pigeon, then some crows followed by a scrub jay.  Then some Mourning Doves amble through when the culprit shows up!

The hole digger!

Here is a video of the squirrel in action.

Crows love the new Birdbath

So I got a new birdbath and it's a hit with the crows!


American Crow



American Crow



American Crow

Here is a video of the Crows checking out the new "watering hole".

A few Band-tailed Pigeons have been to the new birdbath.  Here is one bravely taking a drink with a crow looking on. 

American Crow and Band-tailed Pigeon

Band-tailed Pigeons are the largest pigeon in America and this one is about the size of the Crow.  However it is no match to the crows attitude and beak.  Here the Band-tailed Pigeon has decided to move on.

American Crow and Band-tailed Pigeon

Here's a video capturing the tension between the two birds.