Mobbing behavior of crows

Crows mob a hawk seen left in top third of the tree.  Photo by J.J. Meyer

I woke this morning to the caws of a flock of crows in distress. No songbirds in sight. I stepped outside to find a hawk sitting in a tree.

Many birds such as Northern Mockingbirds are known to behave aggressively toward predators, often chasing and diving at a threatening raptor while giving characteristically harsh “mobbing calls.” The sound of mobbing crows can draw quite a crowd, often attracting many different species to join the cause. Often the birds harass the predator enough to drive it away.

Crows have at least 250 different calls. Their distress call can bring unrelated crows to their aid. Crows will band together to mob hawks, owls, cats, raccoons and coyotes.

Happy Birding!
J.J.