Subject: Snowy Owls versus Crows
Date: Nov 6 08:30:13 1996
From: Roger Hoffman - Roger_Hoffman at nps.gov


Dennis asks:

>Has anyone seen any of
>these Snowies actually driven away by crows? It would be interesting to
>document that phenomenon further (not that we can do anything about it but
>gnash our teeth and smite our brows in frustration).

I have been watching the Snowy Owls on Ediz Hook over the past couple of weeks
(I have seen two at once and believe that there have been at least three
different individuals so far this year - based on different patterns of
speckling on their heads) and have seen a few crow-owl encounters.

The pattern of the crow-owl interactions seems to be that whenever the owls
move to a new perch (either on their own free will or - more commonly - after
being flushed by dogs or people) the crows converge on them and make sure
everyone in the neighborhood knows they are there. Eventually the crows wander
off and the owls rest or hunt in peace but I have wondered what impact the
crows are having on their hunting success and energetics.

By the way, what do you think these owls are feeding on? There are probably
some small mammals in the fields along the airstrip but some of us have been
wondering if snowies would also take shorebirds. It seems like a dunlin
or BBPL roosting on a log would be an easy mark (especially if the snowies also
hunt by moonlight in addition to their diurnal hunting). Ideas?

Also on the too many crows topic; on a couple different occasions while
watching the few scattered snow buntings that have visited Ediz Hook so far
this fall, crows would pursue them relentlessly. I wouldn't be surprised that
each snow bunting on 'the Hook' will eventually fall prey to our crow
population. Those little white snacks just seem to stand out a little too much
for their own good (at least until the snow comes down another 2000'!). The
sparrows on the hook (ie. Savannah, Song, Golden-crowned and White-crowned)
don't seem to have the same problem with the crows.

Roger_Hoffman at nps.gov
Port Angeles, WA