We have a gang of crows that regularly gather around the compost pile,
check the garbage and strut their stuff about the neighborhood. One
morning, two years ago, there was a terrible ruckus, and through the window
we watched as 5 or 6 crows attacked a single crow. It was a very vicious
attack. They managed to get the single crow grounded and flipped over on
it's back. One bird stood on top and preceded to deliver vicious pecks to
the breast. After 30 seconds the cabal left and the single crow turned
over and hobbled around the yard for a minute before also leaving.

We wondered what the single crow had done to be ostracized. I don't know
the local individuals so there is no way of telling if the single crow was
part of the group or an outsider. In human terms the attack appeared to be
a beating. Perhaps this was a group defense of territory or some sort of
ritual initiation into the gang. Has anyone else observed this kind of
attack among crows?





Michael Kennedy <mkennedy at waypt.com>
Port Townsend, WA, USA