Avian mockery

[Furseeker]

The last three or four days I’ve had been the victim of avian mockery. I’m sure you guys that feed birds have seen this around your place, first the small finches and sparrows show up, but soon the bigger birds, like Starlings show up and lay claim to the feeders. Then in turn an even bigger bird like the crows show up to chase the starlings away. And now a pair of Ravens has commandeered the feeders. And these two don’t even have the common decency to act like they are afraid of me. Today I actually had to walk towards them to get them to fly, and even then they just flew across the street out into the field and noisily proclaimed they’re anger at be driven from their free food source. The other day I even watched them stare down our cat. I watched in great anticipation as the cat slowly stalked up to the pair on the ground. At about 5 yards the cat stopped, then retreated slowly. I feel like a showed a great amount of restraint because these birds looked huge in the scope from only 17 yards away. I’m thinking seriously about burrowing a buddy’s paint ball gun to give them the hint they are not welcome here anymore. If I wasn’t such a bird nut and knew what kind of birds they were I could shoot them under the mistake of thinking they were Super Sized Crows. If they show up tomorrow I'll try to get some pictures.

[Wingman115]

Those birds are taking over the burbs all over America. The suburbs provide easy food sources for those flying rats....

[jberenyi]

One shot...one kill Dave.

[only1harry]

Well if the ravens become a nuisance and are eating all the food that's for the backyard birdies, maybe you are justified in shooting one? I bet the other one will never come back, hehehe.

I shot one about 2yrs ago but I had no idea it was a raven.  I mean my friend did..  There was a pair of what looked like crows that were way up high in a tree about 40yds out.  It was September so the trees still had all the leaves on them, plus crow season had started.  He found a small opening through all the branches and leaves where he could see part of the bird's body and took the shot with a .22 Condor.  Next thing he knew this huge birds fell 60ft DOA that had a wing span of 3ft or more!  It was a completely honest case of mistaken identity.

I have since learned that if you see 1 pair of what look like large crows, with no others around, it's a good indication that they are ravens, not crows.  Ravens mate for life and don't hang out in numbers like crows do.

Here 's a pic of the raven he sent me  The Condor is 46" long so this is a good comparison of how big the bird and the wing span is (I measured 36").  A crow's avg. wingspan is 26" but can go up to 28-30" max.  Raven's 32-36".

[Furseeker]

Harry, that's quite a story about your "friend" thanks for sharing it with us. Maybe just one or 2 pumps from the old Powrline will show them they aren't welcome here.

[DoubleDiamond]

Dave,

Next time give me a call. I would be happy to help um... let's see.... "relocate" the arrogant bullies.