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Friday, January 17, 2020
Nature Friday - Magpies and Ravens vs. Golden Eagle
The Golden Eagles and the corvids (magpies and ravens) both wanted the elk carcass to themselves. When an eagle was on the carcass, the magpies would get upset if they couldn't nibble along side him. You can imagine that one whack by an eagle wing or tail would flatten the smaller birds.
So, the magpies started pulling on the tail feathers of the eagle, which seemed to upset him a great deal. Sometimes, he'd actually fly away, leaving the magpies to eat in peace.
The ravems also got in on the act. They'd go behind the eagle but the video didn't give a clear view of exactly what they did back there. Nonetheless, the eagle would get upset, flapping his wings and causing them to scatter.
Check out the video if you have time. I found the clips to be fascinating. I have a whole new respect for magpies and ravens.
Awesome video. One can imagine how irritating it is to have one's tail feathers tweaked! Corvids are super smart. Can I recommend the book 'Corvus. A Life with Birds' by Aberdeen writer Esther Woolfson. A fascinating read. Cheers, Gail.
Oh my gosh, that is just too funny. You have to wonder if those birds are really brave or just stupid - LOL! Don't they know big birds like that sometimes kill smaller ones? Safety in numbers maybe? We often know when there is a hawk around because we'll hear all the little birds putting up a stink (mostly in the spring when they have nests), and we sometimes see a group of small birds harassing the hawks in flight too. Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
Hari OM Ah yes, mighty clever and cheeky birds, the corvid family! I see Gail has already mentioned the book I was going to bring to your attention. YAM xx
I am not a big fan of magpies but you have to admire their tenacity. I have two ravens that I feed on a regular basis during the winter and this is the first winter that the magpies have been around to steal their food. I am amazed that the ravens will not chase off the magpies but will let them have first choice of the food. Frustrates me to no end as I don't want to feed a whole flock of magpies! Your videos, as always, are very enlightening and entertaining. Hope you are well.
This is hilarious, tail tugging and it did work somewhat.That wing span, and the noisy calls, I had the volume turned up loud, to be there in real life would be the most amazing sight .
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me too and I really wondered how brave they were...
ReplyDeleteSuch silly birds to mess with the eagle but they did get their way in the end.
ReplyDeleteAMAZING! And they call them bird-brains!?!
ReplyDeleteto me this is the equivalent of tugging on superman's cape.. they are truly brave and this is funny to me. great capture
ReplyDeletePecking order(pun intended) here is obvious....
ReplyDeleteHugs Cecilia
Awesome video. One can imagine how irritating it is to have one's tail feathers tweaked! Corvids are super smart.
ReplyDeleteCan I recommend the book 'Corvus. A Life with Birds' by Aberdeen writer Esther Woolfson. A fascinating read.
Cheers, Gail.
Sometimes you just can't eat in peace
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, that is just too funny. You have to wonder if those birds are really brave or just stupid - LOL! Don't they know big birds like that sometimes kill smaller ones? Safety in numbers maybe?
ReplyDeleteWe often know when there is a hawk around because we'll hear all the little birds putting up a stink (mostly in the spring when they have nests), and we sometimes see a group of small birds harassing the hawks in flight too.
Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteAh yes, mighty clever and cheeky birds, the corvid family! I see Gail has already mentioned the book I was going to bring to your attention. YAM xx
I am not a big fan of magpies but you have to admire their tenacity. I have two ravens that I feed on a regular basis during the winter and this is the first winter that the magpies have been around to steal their food. I am amazed that the ravens will not chase off the magpies but will let them have first choice of the food. Frustrates me to no end as I don't want to feed a whole flock of magpies! Your videos, as always, are very enlightening and entertaining. Hope you are well.
ReplyDeleteThis is hilarious, tail tugging and it did work somewhat.That wing span, and the noisy calls, I had the volume turned up loud, to be there in real life would be the most amazing sight .
ReplyDeleteBLK Dog,
ReplyDeleteMay You Bark With Enthusiasm , Eat With Heartiness , & Sleep With Serious Intentions.
You Are Loved Buddy,
Cheers
Crows and magpies are cunning birds.
ReplyDeleteYou can see who's boss for sure.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day and weekend. ♥
What a great video. Those smaller birds sure are cheeky.
ReplyDeleteDang, those small birds sure are brave and the eagle is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThose magpies were persistent, weren't they?
ReplyDeleteLittle schnauzer Xena (and I) watched this video with fascination.
ReplyDeletethese things are so interesting
ReplyDeleteand there is a pecking order with all the birds
wonderful to see
thank you for capturing and sharing
Those magpies are either very hungry or ruthlessly relentless!
ReplyDelete