i can recall watching an unknown raptor surfing the atmosphere of deception
pass about 15 years ago. i was on the south side of pass island daydreaming
as the raptor would tack into the wind coming from the east, only to turn
with the wind and literally surf at a high rate of speed through the pass
below the bridge toward rosario strait. once into the strait proper, it
would then wheel back to start the laborious task of returning slowly to the
eastern side of the pass to start the ride one more time.

if i hadn't seen it, i wouldn't have believed it. the raptor did this four
times while i watched...

it seems we learn more about behaviour and "intelligence" with regard other
species each and every year, allowing them verifiable credit for
intelligence behind those behaviours unthinkable such a short time before.
i can't be sure it wasn't doing something related to survival, but to this
day i believe there were no chores on its agenda and it was having fun...

00 caren
http://www.parkgallery.org
george davis creek, north fork


On Fri, Oct 3, 2008 at 11:33, <johntubbs at comcast.net> wrote:

> Hi Melissa and Everyone,
>
> There is no doubt a lot of serious defensive behavior going on here, as was
> noted earlier, since accipiters are predators - though I think taking an
> adult crow might be tough for a Sharpie or Cooper's. Crows are on the large
> size and pretty smart, so I don't believe the adults are major prey species
> (someone out there may know differently and educate us).
>
> However, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a 'play' aspect to it as
> well. Corvids are known to engage in behaviors that appear to have no other
> function other then entertaining themselves. I saw an amazing video once -
> can't remember the source and don't have a link - that was taken of ravens
> on the English west coast. The winds blow off the North Atlantic, hit the
> limestone cliffs and create tremendous updrafts. The videographer saw
> several ravens using the stiff updraft for 'play' and filmed it. The birds
> would fly out away from the cliffs and then fly in toward the areas with a
> strong updraft. They would hit the updraft and literally be blown head over
> heels and sent tumbling around in the air, out of control. They would then
> eventually recover to normal flight. If this had happened only once per
> bird, one could conclude they were taken by surprise and it was an
> accident. Except these rav! ens con tinued to circle away from and then
> directly back into the updraft to be once again blasted out of control, over
> and over, apparently entertaining themselves in the process. It was pretty
> amazing to watch.
>
> John Tubbs
> Snoqualmie, WA
> johntubbs at comcast.net
> www.tubbsphoto.com
>
>
>
> -------------- Original message --------------
> From: "Melissa McKenzie" <bmsh.mckenzie at gte.net>
>
> > While walking my kids home from school yesterday afternoon I noticed from
> a
> > distance what looked to be a crow bombarding something in the top of a
> tree.
> > As we got closer it became apparent that the something was a sharp
> shinned
> > hawk. What I realized was happening was not just the crow going after the
>
> > hawk but what appeared to be a game. The hawk would fly from a tree
> toward
> > the crow who would take off after the hawk, after one mid air
> confrontation
> > they would both go to separate trees. Next it was the crows turn to leave
>
> > his tree to be chased by the hawk.
> >
> > We stopped to watch and this activity went on for close to five minutes.
> I
> > have seen this type of behavior before a few years ago ! with a crow and
> a red
> > tail hawk except that time both birds were in one tree and one would take
>
> > off toward another tree and be chased by the second. They also 'took
> turns'
> > chasing and being chased.
> >
> > I was wondering if this was a common behavior and what might be behind
> the
> > actions. Is it training, and if so for which bird the crow or the hawk?
> Or
> > was it just a game?
> >
> > Thank you for any thoughts.
> >
> > Melissa McKenzie
> >
> > Melissa McKenzie
> > bmsh.mckenzie at gte.net
> > Kenmore By The Lake
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Tweeters at u.washington.edu
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>
>
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