Hi Tweets.I have a front seat at least 3 times a week for a tag match
between crows and either a Sharp-shinned Hawk or less frequently, a Cooper's
Hawk .but I know that I have both hawks. The start of the action is heralded
by a peculiar sort of rolling squawk from the crow (they only make that
sound when a hawk is engaging them), at which point I drop what I am doing
and hurry to the window, or to my chair outside to watch the action.



The hawk picks one crow at a time, there is a pause then usually one crow at
a time chases the hawk. Each time the chase is signaled by the same warning
sound from a crow. The crows make a normal cawing sound for cats and a
mobbing takes place for the resident owl, raccoon, or the occasional Bald
Eagle or Peregrine Falcon.



This past Tuesday while watching the sharpie-crow action a pair of Northern
Flickers joined in, actively pursuing and being pursued by the sharpie. This
combination was more intense, with the flicker just managing to elude the
hawk and making its own alarm call. After the pause in the action, the
flicker just couldn't leave it alone, and actively sought out the hawk. Very
interesting stuff.



Dianna Moore

Ocean Shores, Wa.

dlmoor2 at coastaccess.com