What's buzzing or flying near you 2024 ?

I am really impressed by how you managed to capture the moment, @CatDouch! Your crow looks absolutely disgusted..

 

Weetabix - nothing to crow about.

 

https://www.nwf.org/Home/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2013/DecJan/Animals/Crows-Recognizing-Faces#

I think I remember seeing something similar to this experiment. I would love a crow to visit, but I think it might terrorise the smaller birds. There was a local crow family and a magpie family near me. The baby crow was born during the first year of COVID...corvid/COVID = easy to remember. The baby crow looked young for at least a year, but I doubt I would be able to pick out that crow now, several years on.

 

It was pure luck that I pressed my button on the camera at the correct moment @ClematisDbee
I just read the article that you linked, so very interesting. I studied animal intelligence as part of my course at university so it's an area that absolutely fascinates me.
Interesting that you say you think a crow would terrorise the smaller birds as I have found the opposite. The crow is the most nervous bird in my garden, it jumps when any other bird moves or comes near it, it always gives way to the other birds. I presume it's just in a jumpy state as it knows it's near humans and they have learnt that we are a threat to them.

 

The sparrows seemed to like the weetabix here, didn't notice if the crows had a go at it though.

 

A further question for our research - Was it genuine Weetabix that was spat out or was it own brand?

Yes, our crows are timid souls. They don’t go for other birds in the way that magpies do. Keep themselves very much to themselves at the tops of the trees.

 

@Tidemark , that's a good point about genuine v own brand weetabix! Ours was own brand...

 

Mine was genuine Weetabix @Tidemark

 

Yes, could be @CatDouch. You are clearly not a threat to your dear crow though. It must feel as though it has found a sanctuary with you and your garden? I have seen crows and magpies terrorise wood pigeons, doves and blackbirds by raiding their nests (for the fledglings etc) in trees. I think if all the birds have enough to eat,and enough territory (like humans I suppose) they are more likely to rub along ok! 'My' blackbirds usually run for cover when they hear crows and magpies nearby, but if a crow arrived in my garden, I would try to meet its needs....Weetabix, I suppose...

 

@Tidemark, that is what they say about serial killers though, 'oh he kept himself to himself... Always said hello in the morning....'

 

Coal Tit hiding in the Callistemon.

 

I don't get the assortment of birds I had in the last garden and a dozen cats in the area doesn't help either.

I have a few Crows and Jackdaws that visit as well as the usual birds, Tits, Sparrows, Chaffinches and Goldfinches, Robins, Blackbirds and Wood Pigeons. I've seen an occasional Greenfinch but they aren't regular visitors.

No Weetabix in this house but I buy cheap packets of Rich Tea biscuits and crumble one or two up each day.

 

These little snowbirds seem to actually enjoy the snow, I do not.

 

White-breasted nuthatch taking a break from the snow.

 

Grey Plover on a very grey day.


Ringed Plover and Turnstone hiding in plain sight.