On Wed, 4 Jun 2003, Blake Iverson wrote:

> I had the exact same thing happen to me a couple of weeks ago! The squirrel
> ran out in the road, stopped, with the crow on its tail, and then ran back
> into the trees with the crow hot in pursuit. I was wondering though, if the
> crow felt it was a danger to its young or whatnot because cooper's hawks and
> sharpy's will get very defensive toward a squirrel too near the nest.


Yes, as far as crows chasing squirrels I believe it's generally a
territorial function - I regularly see crows chasing squirrels out of
their nest trees. Sometimes they also seem to chase squirrels away from a
food source. Also, crows typically use their bills rather than their feet
for catching prey (the original post mentioned 'talons').

Then again, I've learned never to say 'never' with crows.

John

U. District/Seattle