it's kind of a long story - and we all know i'm good for that - but for now, here is my new little friend, Bert. He's not "mine" but i'm going to keep calling him "mine" until he moves on.
I have learned SO much about crows in the last 4 days. absolutely fascinating creatures!
*or maybe not. i'm not much a birder so it's all new to me!
Wow , did you know in tests scientists found crows to be quicker learners and more intelligent than chimps? They are amazing , enjoy your time with Bert.
... i have also learned that Crows recognize faces AND hold a grudge! 🤣
Ohhh it's been a long year! Seems i have 'something' going on every single weekend but when the boyfriend booked our May vacation back in January - i foolishly thought i had plenty of time to prepare and pack and all that. We leave Sunday.. i'm an anxiety attack! hahaa Naturally i'm worried sick about my dogs - i have never left them for more than a weekend.. but i won't start on that because i really will never shut up! (we totally need to talk about Maybe when i get back tho!)
So Bert... Friday i found a nest that had fallen out of a mile high palm tree. I sat on the curb staring at it, watching the parents circle around hollering, i didn't see any sign of eggs or babies so finally decided i could move it to my front yard. If nothing else, maybe they could re-purpose materials for a new nest, right?
No. All weekend the parents stalked me and hollered at me. I got dive bombed a couple times, they threw leaves and magnolia pods at me. I was texting boyfriend that things were getting really weird but i know he didn't believe me until he came over and saw it for himself. They didn't give him the time of day. But me? yea, they are out for blood. One of my 'smart' friends told me i could bribe the crows so i started putting down peanuts thinking they'd forgive me. Nope. Once the peanuts were gone...
Monday a neighbor two doors down came over and told me there was a baby in the bush. Ohhhhhhh. so the crows don't hate me for touching their nest - they hate me because they think i stole their baby! (curse word!) My niece is on her way over for her first lesson in "how to care for my dogs and not ef up" and i'm trying to get a crow in his nest in a box.
My brain is so tired. lol
So anyway... i got Bert in the box, put him in a brick planter in the front of my house - conveniently located below a security camera! I took some of the neighbor's dead palm fronds and tried to conceal his nest-in-a-box, give him some security not being all exposed.. and the little butt climbed out of his nest and has been perched on the fronds. I'm guessing the cats aren't bothering him because he doesn't run. They may smell him, but he's not very interesting just sitting there. And yes, the parents will totally dive bomb the cats - but it's odd, i don't see/hear them AT ALL after dark.
The best part of it all - the parents seem to still hate me. Their nugget is in the front yard and i can go to the furthest corner of the backyard and they stay right on me hollering! But they are taking care of their baby again. I watch on the cam footage several times (ok, several hours) a day. Bert squawks and wiggles and a parent appears instantly. It's really cool!
From all i've read, this is the natural order of things, the parents may have even thrown the nest out themselves, but they absolutely threw Bert out. He'll stay on the ground ten days or so, and the parents will continue to care for him, but this is kind of like.. i guess bird college? Make it or... don't. lol I am trying very hard to keep my distance. I check on him three times a day, make sure he's not injured or in need of PROFESSIONAL (totally not me) care. but i don't want him to get used to humans and think all humans will give him dog food and sing lullaby's to him. 🤣 i didn't! (he's right next to my neighbor's window or i might) But i admit, when i first moved him and he climbed up my hand, his little baby talons clutching my finger... i did turn to total mush!
Ha! That's funny! I see young crows around here but never that young. They always have to yell, yell, yell. They almost are the size of adults by the time I see them but they sure do have a lot to say.
What a wonderful experience you are having - except for the crow attacks. I had to giggle with the adults tossing magnolia pods at you. 😛
i had wondered how they "threw" stuff at me. and i honestly didn't believe me either until i saw him yesterday. he grabs a leaf with his beak and jerks it off the branch, turns his head and drops it. he was doing it at such a frantic pace - HE looked like a raven lunatic!! 🤣
I started thinking... they say that crows never forget a kindness and they are known to make friends to nice humans.. sooo maybe i should hang around and let the little guy get used to me and then i could be.....
🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣
🤩 Hahahaha! That would be fun.
Want another Red & Howling Cartoon? 🎲🎲
