Today, while birding on Foster Island in Seattle, I noticed a crow
hovering over the water of the lake not far from the shore of the
Montlake Fill. I saw the crow briefly touch the water with its feet and
dip its bill into the water. Then it flew towards me and, when it came
close enough, I could see that it was carrying a small fish in its bill.
I couldn't tell whether the fish was alive or not. Has anyone else ever
seen crows doing this?

Rachel Lawson
Seattle

Tweeters,
I have watched crows catch Columbia River Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus) using the same technique described by Rachel. During the early part of this smelt run you can see small flocks of crows among the gulls picking the fish off of the surface. I don't know if this is a fishing method that the crows learned from observing the gulls. Later in the run there are enough dead smelt on the shore that the crows no longer actively fish for their dinner.

Wilson Cady
Washougal, WA