An interesting little drama played out in the Lynnwood Petsmart parking lot
this morning. Since other people have noticed crows preying on small mammals I
wasn't too surprised to see it happening, although it took me a moment to
figure out just what the crows were fighting.

The little shrew was still alive and putting up a fight as the crows took
turns pecking at it. The crows seemed to be working together. If the little
shrew wriggled away from one crow, the other was standing by to bring it back
under control.

The crows saw me walking up to them and the shrew was almost too heavy for
one bird to carry in its talons. One bird dropped it, and the other scooped it
up...and the little mammal was still struggling. Not sure if this was teamwork
or not, but the shrew was a goner nonetheless.

Eventually the birds "ferried" the shrew away from the parking lot.

Lydia Bishop
Everett, WA