large-billed crow

ssp. japonensis

I watched in horror as this large-billled crow tore apart a golden weaver's nest and stole a chick. You can see the weavers frantically chasing. Nature is of course cruel but that dosen't mean it's enjoyable to watch. I do however wish I'd managed to get a tack sharp photo. It all happened so fast.

Shot late evening, the low light making it look almost like a b&w image.

Normally it is the much smaller crows who chase away the kites. But here, there were two kites too many for the crow!! Shot from my car.

Leaving Yatsu Higata for a moment, here's one from yesterday, when a colleague and I walked to the Meiji Shrine and the parks adjacent. Lots of Large-billed crows (aka Japanese crows) in these parks, and remembering that the book "Crow Boy" was one of my mother's favorites as a...

It followed us from tree to tree asking to be photographed, then jumped down to the ground for some more.

Eating a salmon on the beach.

A widespread crow of Eastern Asia, seen here towards the western end of its range.

Notice the curved beak too......which they use to eat meat....