Vagueness and the Aftermath - A sporadic diary

[tikay]

Warning, graphic content.




Saw something pretty cool today.

There is a rookery in the trees near us and today all the rooks left the trees and came screaming down into our back field. I ran outside to see what was happening and found them mobbing a hawk that had caught pigeon.

The rooks put the hawk under so much pressure that it had to let go of the pigeon and roll on to its back, talons in the air to defend itself.

Eventually, the hawk made good it's escape, chased by the rooks. Meanwhile the pigeon scarpered in the opposite direction.

I found the pigeon a little later, he didn't look good. I think he will end up making a meal for a fox.

I wish I had had the presence of mind to take a picture during, rather than after the fact.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

Click to see full-size image.

I kept meaning to reply to this Tom, but been so busy.

What an incredible thing.

I'm not sure why the rooks would attack the hawk, if it were not to steal the pigeon? Are they natural enemies, or were they just bring chivalrous?

We can never under-estimate how clever rooks & the like are, amazing birds.

We have a lot of jackdaws where I live, & they are much the same, very clever birds.

On my walks this week, every day I pass a young family of Egyptian Geese, Mum, Dad & 6 chicks. I've also seen 2 families of regular geese with their fluffy little broods.

There must be a very high chick mortality rate if they all have 5 or 6 chicks, otherwise there'd be geese galore.   

[Rod Paradise]

The corvids will mob any raptor that gets near them - a danger & competition, they are harried endlessly till they land or fly off.

The smaller raptors will join the corvids in mobbing a bigger raptor as well. The one time I saw a golden eagle locally it was being mobbed by jackdaws, crows, ravens, sparrowhawks and kestrels.

I find it funny hearing of the birds breeding down there already, they're only starting courting/nest building here now (apart from the earlies (heron, raven, hawks).

[tikay]

The corvids will mob any raptor that gets near them - a danger & competition, they are harried endlessly till they land or fly off.

The smaller raptors will join the corvids in mobbing a bigger raptor as well. The one time I saw a golden eagle locally it was being mobbed by jackdaws, crows, ravens, sparrowhawks and kestrels.

I find it funny hearing of the birds breeding down there already, they're only starting courting/nest building here now (apart from the earlies (heron, raven, hawks).

I've seen lots of geese chicks already this year, but, so far, no mallard chicks.

[Mohican]

The corvids will mob any raptor that gets near them - a danger & competition, they are harried endlessly till they land or fly off.

The smaller raptors will join the corvids in mobbing a bigger raptor as well. The one time I saw a golden eagle locally it was being mobbed by jackdaws, crows, ravens, sparrowhawks and kestrels.

I find it funny hearing of the birds breeding down there already, they're only starting courting/nest building here now (apart from the earlies (heron, raven, hawks).

Are you an Avian expert Mr Paradise? As nobody has been able to explain the difference between a rook,Raven and a crow. The subtle differences are important as I have plans for a largish Raven tattoo and won't to make sure I can furnish the artist with the correct info.

[RED-DOG]

Rook.







Raven.

[Rod Paradise]

The corvids will mob any raptor that gets near them - a danger & competition, they are harried endlessly till they land or fly off.

The smaller raptors will join the corvids in mobbing a bigger raptor as well. The one time I saw a golden eagle locally it was being mobbed by jackdaws, crows, ravens, sparrowhawks and kestrels.

I find it funny hearing of the birds breeding down there already, they're only starting courting/nest building here now (apart from the earlies (heron, raven, hawks).

Are you an Avian expert Mr Paradise? As nobody has been able to explain the difference between a rook,Raven and a crow. The subtle differences are important as I have plans for a largish Raven tattoo and won't to make sure I can furnish the artist with the correct info.

A keen amateur (although I've had a pet jackdaw & a pet raven).

You don't want a rook - big grey bald face:

Click to see full-size image.

Crows and ravens are similar but for size, the raven has a bigger/heavier beak - it's a weapon, ravens also have a 'beard' and are from the mountains, have a mytholgical history.

Crow:

Click to see full-size image.

Raven:


Raven's beard:

Click to see full-size image.

The Hooded Crow (or Corbie as we call them) is a nice one as well, found in Northern Scotland and Ireland:


Edit - realised I'd posted a big crow pic& a small raven.

Here's a pic of both for comparison:

[Mohican]

Thanks Red, informative response as always Sir.
Thanks Rod. Exactly the details I need. Do you have link to that beard photo please.

[Mohican]

Coincidentally I've spoken to a fella at work about having a pet Raven (he flies a couple of raptors) and he said they need a lot of looking after, especially considering how intelligent they are. Three youngs kids atm so time is at a premium and I know Wifey wouldn't want to muck(fair enough) so I'm gonna wait a few years.

[Rod Paradise]

Coincidentally I've spoken to a fella at work about having a pet Raven (he flies a couple of raptors) and he said they need a lot of looking after, especially considering how intelligent they are. Three youngs kids atm so time is at a premium and I know Wifey wouldn't want to muck(fair enough) so I'm gonna wait a few years.

I've heard them described as like having a kid in the terrible twos who can fly and inflict a nasty peck.

The one I had was probably stolen from a nest but then escaped. He was being a real pest at a farm, the daughter was a teacher of mine and knew my folks and obviously thought me weird enough to want a raven. He was never captive with me though lived outside (eventually roosted in the church belfry). A local fireworks display chased him off and he returned to the farm but was warier of people and eventually drifted back up into the hills.

I'll put the link up when I'm back on a PC, it's a pest on the phone.

[Rod Paradise]

Raven's beard:
https://www.wildgratitude.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/raven-spirit-animal.jpg

[tikay]

Loving all the corvid talk here, they are such a fascinating family of birds.

Down here where I am, the predominant species are jackdaws, not sure why, but Hampton Court, Bushy Park & all the surrounding area has far more jackdaws than crows, rooks magpies or ravens.

The late Alan Clark, an MP who I'm sure Rod greatly admired, had a pet jackdaw at his home, Saltwood Castle, & when the jackdaw eventually died, he buried him with great ceremony, & put all the little trinkets that the jackdaw stole in the grave with it. 

[Rod Paradise]

Loving all the corvid talk here, they are such a fascinating family of birds.

Down here where I am, the predominant species are jackdaws, not sure why, but Hampton Court, Bushy Park & all the surrounding area has far more jackdaws than crows, rooks magpies or ravens.

The late Alan Clark, an MP who I'm sure Rod greatly admired, had a pet jackdaw at his home, Saltwood Castle, & when the jackdaw eventually died, he buried him with great ceremony, & put all the little trinkets that the jackdaw stole in the grave with it.  

The reason will be habitat Tikay.

Jackdaws are smaller and more adaptable, can nest in holes in trees, burrows in bankings, buildings, cliffs. Also they are gregarious so when you see you one you usually see a group.
Crows and rooks need big trees for nesting (a copse of them for a rookery).
Magpies are as flexible as jackdaws, but stay in smaller groups, so will not gather in the numbers you see jackdaws.
Ravens like high crags, or sea cliffs, town life doesn't suit them.

Clark? Racist supporters of Enoch Powell not my cup of tea. A small amount of credit for liking animals, and for being named in a divorce for having had the wife, and both her daughters.

[tikay]

Loving all the corvid talk here, they are such a fascinating family of birds.

Down here where I am, the predominant species are jackdaws, not sure why, but Hampton Court, Bushy Park & all the surrounding area has far more jackdaws than crows, rooks magpies or ravens.

The late Alan Clark, an MP who I'm sure Rod greatly admired, had a pet jackdaw at his home, Saltwood Castle, & when the jackdaw eventually died, he buried him with great ceremony, & put all the little trinkets that the jackdaw stole in the grave with it.  

The reason will be habitat Tikay.

Jackdaws are smaller and more adaptable, can nest in holes in trees, burrows in bankings, buildings, cliffs. Also they are gregarious so when you see you one you usually see a group.
Crows and rooks need big trees for nesting (a copse of them for a rookery).
Magpies are as flexible as jackdaws, but stay in smaller groups, so will not gather in the numbers you see jackdaws.
Ravens like high crags, or sea cliffs, town life doesn't suit them.

Clark? Racist supporters of Enoch Powell not my cup of tea. A small amount of credit for liking animals, and for being named in a divorce for having had the wife, and both her daughters.

Ahh, that explains it, ty, they are definitely observed in quite large groups around these parts. They sort of strut along the ground, very upright & pompous.

Pleased to see you like at least something about Alan Clark. Quite the man about town, was Alan. Very much into ladies & dogs. 

[typhoon13]

My first swallow sighting of the year yesterday

Saw 4 near boston golf club

[TightEnd]

i thought you might like this

Photographs of the sun at the same time every day for 365 days

Click to see full-size image.