Is the crow that visits our bird bath killing our backyard birds?

1. 95

   purl3agonyposted 8 years ago

   Is the crow that visits our bird bath killing our backyard birds?
   
   We have a crow that visits our bird bath a few times a day.  Yesterday, he had the carcass of a dead bird in his mouth, and he was dipping it into our birdbath (gross, I know).  We are concerned that this might be the offspring of some of the birds that have nested in our backyard.  Could this crow be killing and eating our backyard birds?
   
   

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2. 57

   Omevaposted 8 years ago

   That looks like a pretty big bird, so either the crow scared them away( I would run too if I was a bird), or the crow pecked them to death on the spot, so lets analyze this. Do you see any dead bird bodies by the fountain?if so, then its probably the former, if not, then probably the latter. Anyways, that's my speculation.
   
   Good luck in solving this mystery.
   
   Best Regards,

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      purl3agonyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks!

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      Omevaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      http://editoranna.hubpages.com/hub/How- … with-Crows

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3. 61

   tosha11posted 8 years ago

   Not likely as they prefer an already dead meal since they are scavengers. I would assume it was just enjoying his feast in a spot he visits. So no to killing and yes to eating. Do you have an hawks? They are known for killing other birds. Hawks used to always get my dads pigeons that he raised.

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   1. 95

      purl3agonyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      We had a hawk in the yard a few months ago.  I feel better knowing that this crow isn't killing our birds.  I guess we'll empty the bird bath and hope that the crows and hawk will move on in a short time.  Thanks for your help and for the info!

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4. 83

   Venkatachari Mposted 8 years ago

   I believe crows do not kill birds. They may swallow worms but not birds. So, it must be an already dead bird that s/he was enjoying. Regarding bird bath, you may temporarily empty it to drive away the hawks and birds. But you do a generous act by feeding water to the birds.

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   1. 95

      purl3agonyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I hate to take away the water source from our other backyard birds, but the crows have made a real mess of our bird bath.  We haven't seen any other birds at it for a long time because of the crows. Thanks for your help and comments.

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5. 97

   chef-de-jourposted 8 years ago

   Crows are highly territorial in my experience and will 'have a go' at other birds if the opportunity arises. There's no doubt - I have seen them in action here in the UK locally. Gangs of crows regularly hassle young buzzards, perhaps not injuring them but letting them know who is boss! A little owl that set up nest in an old oak close to a family of crows was definitely knobbled - we saw that for ourselves - one evening back in April.
   Crows are clever, opportunistic birds and I would not be surprised if the one who has chosen to frequent your garden is slowly getting rid of competition - either by threatening them or actually doing them in!! Unfortunate but true, nature doesn't give a fig about living in harmony on occasions, especially when crows are involved.
   If you want to get rid of the crows hassle them - go outside when they're around and shake your fist, put up a scarecrow or other figure, chase them away. They do not like being driven off but eventually they'll go.
   I still like them though, even if they have an aggressive streak.

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      purl3agonyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for all your information.  I respect the crows "nature", I just want them to move on from our little backyard.  Thanks again!!

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6. 69

   connorjposted 8 years ago

   
   
   It is highly unlikely that a crow would kill; however, they are indeed clever and persistent scavengers. Perhaps your bird bath has become a cleaning and tenderizing area for a wise scavenger...

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      purl3agonyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I think you are right.  Thanks for the info and the illustration.  I thought crows and ravens were the same thing.  Now I see our bird was definitely a crow.  Thanks!

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      connorjposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      The difference is slight; except in size...

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   MonkeyShine75posted 8 years ago

   Crows are predators and scavengers, which means that they will eat practically anything. Their diet consists of various road-kill, insects, frogs, snakes, mice, corn, human fast food, even eggs and nestlings of other birds
   But research demonstrated in A Murder (Group) of Crows proves crows are actually very social and caring creatures, and also among the smartest animals on the planet.
   Although the other birds “might” leave when a crow is present (because they're loud), they don’t kill other birds.
   
   These Birds do kill other birds
   
   African Crowned Eagle
   Golden Eagle
   Harpy Eagle
   Martial Eagle
   Philippine Eagle
   Steller’s Sea Eagle
   
   Blakiston’s Fish Owl
   Eurasian Eagle Owl
   
   Bearded Vulture
   Lappet Faced Vulture
   
   
   
   These have injured, and/or killed humans
   
   African Ostrich
   
   Australian Magpie
   
   Barred Owl
   
   European Herring Gull
   
   Great Northern Loon
   
   Lammergier
   
   Mute Swan
   
   Red-tailed Hawk
   Injury
   
   Snowy Owl
   
   Southern Cassowarry

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   1. 95

      purl3agonyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks.  I think our other backyard birds left the crow alone because he made a mess of our bird bath.  I appreciate all this information.  Thanks!

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      MonkeyShine75posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you Donna. No problem, I just did a little research for you

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