I very much enjoyed this post as it demonstrated to me a behavior I have
observed in my own yard in Ocean Shores. We have some very large crows out
here and I have seen them interacting with a local Cooper's (or maybe more
than one) several times. It struck me as play, with one bird chasing
another then reversing the role. I never saw aggressive behavior during
those incidents. This interaction was the first time I had seen the
behavior, and this post is the first time I have seen anyone else mention
it.
Thanks for sharing and enlightening me!
Dianna Moore
Ocean Shores

On Sun, Sep 10, 2023 at 11:58 PM Mark Borden <markbordenmd at gmail.com> wrote:


> Hello from Whidbey Tweeters,

>

> For the last 17 years I have witnessed (almost every year) a passage

> (imm.) female Coopers Hawk playing with the flock of crows on the eastern

> fence of our horse pasture. The coops will take turns chasing the crows,

> then being chased by them. It is always an immature coopers, and always a

> female. I have many videos of this behavior if anyone is interested.

>

> Three years ago I witnessed a daily play session involving a Merlin

> falcon, a male kestrel, and an immature female Sharp Shinned Hawk. I

> watched in awe for about 30 minutes the first time before remembering to

> video record, but then got some good "footage." I was a bit concerned that

> the kestrel might be in danger initially, as it was just the Kestrel and

> sharpie, but then the Merlin (in a tree all along) joined in.

>

> I have raised (from young Downey stage) Coopers and Goshawks, and as big

> downies and branchers both species are more playful (video available on

> request) than either young peregrines or Prairie Falcons. Gyrfalcons are

> more playful than either of those falcon species. I cannot speak on

> Merlins, never having raised an eyass Merlin.

>

> The Peregrine/Prairie hybrids I have raised seemed more playful than

> either of their parents, but there is substantial variation between hybrids

> (as with mules).

>

> As a falconer I treasure the inter species interaction, as it shows me

> what the birds are capable of, and makes comparisons otherwise unavailable,

> possible.

>

> Mark Borden MD

> Coupeville, WA.

> 360-632-7484

>

> Sent from my iPhone

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