Crow robbing Sparrowhawk nest (1 Viewer)

[Himalaya]

If any one watched Springwatch last night or on Iplayer they would have seen that very determined Crow try to rob a Sparrowhawk nest and giving up a very good fight for it. The Sparrowhawk did fight back but later on the Crow managed to "peck" or "pick" the Sparrowhawk eggs.

I am surprised a lone Crow would do this to a Sparrowhawk. I would not be surprised if there were 2 and they succeeded but one alone? I have mostly seen them being driven off by Lapwing, Thrushes very quickly but it was fascinating how it was so determined against such a strong predator, one that has been known to even predate it at times.

I read in a bird book that many Hobby nests fail because of Crows and eve accounts of Peregrines and Eagles failing because of Ravens.

Do Corvid limit numbers of raptors?

 

[Mal Taylor]

If any one watched Springwatch last night or on Iplayer they would have seen that very determined Crow try to rob a Sparrowhawk nest and giving up a very good fight for it. The Sparrowhawk did fight back but later on the Crow managed to "peck" or "pick" the Sparrowhawk eggs.

I am surprised a lone Crow would do this to a Sparrowhawk. I would not be surprised if there were 2 and they succeeded but one alone? I have mostly seen them being driven off by Lapwing, Thrushes very quickly but it was fascinating how it was so determined against such a strong predator, one that has been known to even predate it at times.

I read in a bird book that many Hobby nests fail because of Crows and eve accounts of Peregrines and Eagles failing because of Ravens.

Do Corvid limit numbers of raptors?

The well known Peregrines nest at Warton Crag failed early on this year due to Ravens getting to the eggs whilst the incubating Male had left them briefly unattended. Not sure if they managed to re-lay or not.

 

[Himalaya]

I had heard this myself. I think the male was a first year breeder and and he would get intimidated by the Ravens andthen they would go for the eggs. However, he stood his ground when the female re-laid and they backed off.

 

[Cartman]

are they stealing them for food or just destroying them so they don't hatch. If they are trying to stop the eggs from hatching into potential predators for their own chicks then is shows a lot of intelligence from the crow in my opinion even though it is very sad.

It is just nature's way and we should leave them to it

 

[Himalaya]

They said the Crow was seen pecking the eggs. I can understand a gang of Crows doing it but a lone Crow against a Sparrowhawk, surely that Crow must have got hurt.....

 

[vstromman]

I watched the footage on Iplayer this morning. The Hawk certainly had his Talons in the Crows chest.
A brave Crow. Certainly not equipped to do as much damage as the Raptor.

 

[Himalaya]

Could it have been a first time breeding Sparrowhawk?

 

[acipiter]

Could it have been a first time breeding Sparrowhawk?

What makes you think it was a first year sparrow hawk? I have seen jays magpie and squirrel all rob sparrowhawks nests many times, in which the hen was certainly not a first year bird.

 

[scuba0095]

i see crows daily getting nailed bad by grackels here they fly fast to get away from grackels lol

 

[scuba0095]

What makes you think it was a first year sparrow hawk? I have seen jays magpie and squirrel all rob sparrowhawks nests many times, in which the hen was certainly not a first year bird.

noone of those would dare rob a sparrow hawk in front of the hawk


sparrow hawks eat magpies jays etc.. this crow took on the the sparrow hawk head on

 

[acipiter]

noone of those would dare rob a sparrow hawk in front of the hawk


sparrow hawks eat magpies jays etc.. this crow took on the the sparrow hawk head on

That's just the point they do it when the hawk has left the nest.

 

[Himalaya]

What makes you think it was a first year sparrow hawk? I have seen jays magpie and squirrel all rob sparrowhawks nests many times, in which the hen was certainly not a first year bird.

Good question - probably goig to say inexperience but the Sparrowhawk fought back. Ravens raided a Peregrine nest when a female left a 1st time breeding male was intimidated by them.

 

[BrownnishSkua]

I have read that most raptors are capable of fending off corvids one on one. I am not too sure about the condition of the sparrowhawk (e.g. its experience etc but its definately one persistent crow).