buzzards hunting crows (1 Viewer)

[sparrie]

Was out yesterday with a freind of mine and we were watching the local buzzards soaring together. There was a pair a few hundred yards from us and we thought the were just displaying. Next minute one of them is in an almost vertical stoop past a tree and out pops a couple of carrion crows. The second buzzard then fell out of the sky after them. The crows went there seperate ways and the buzzards kept chasing one of them. One would fly above while the other one chased. When the one chasing was slowing down the other would come screaming past it after it. The crow got away but what a sight. This was about a three of four hundred metre flight. The buzzards were working together and it's the first time I have ever seen this.

We know that the buzzards hunt crows in the area as we have found feathers below the nest but we just presumed they were taking youngsters but this shows otherwise.

Has anyone else witnessed this type of thing.

Gary

 

[Markus Jais]

very interesting observations. Unfortunately I've not seen this myself but I remember reading an article some years ago about a Common Buzzard that caught a Carrion Crow in it's talons and trying to kill it. But the Buzzard failed and the Carrion Crow got away. I think a Common Buzzard might be able to kill a crow but it is not as powerful as some other similar sized raptors like a female Northern Goshawk or a Booted Eagle, so a Crow is probably not a very common prey for a Common Buzzard.

Markus

 

[Himalaya]

if a buzzards can kill a rabbit why not crow?

the buzzard in springwatch on bbc2 summr 2007 ate the male barn owl.

i have had of buzzards being very territorial and that people have been attacked if approached nest sites. in fact buzzards fight other buzzards and have killed them so why not kill a crow?

 

[jerkin]

A Buzzard would have little problem killing a Carrion Crow, the problem would be catching it first.

 

[robbyuk]

disputes over territory between various raptors and crows are common and ive seen many chases allthough i must say its usually the other way round,the crows mob the buzzard,i do know that buzzards are well known to be lazy and much prefer carrion and hunting beetles and worms before risking injury on a kill,wish i was there to see it though,nice one!

 

[Himalaya]

what about buzzards vs ravens - looks like buzzards hav a hard time here

 

[KnockerNorton]

the buzzard in springwatch on bbc2 summr 2007 ate the male barn owl.

Was that actually shown on camera - any evidence? Or just Bill making an assumption?

The OP crow thing sounds like 'territoriality' rather than true hunting, although I've no doubt that it would have killed it if it caught it. The primary aim may well have been to drive out the crows, rather than filling their belly. I know communal hunting is common in Red-tailed hawks (or is it red-shouldered?), but I'm not sure about Common Buzzards. So I'd plump for crow-baiting rather crow-hunting.

I saw a Buzzard hunting a mixed finch and thrush flock a while ago. Caught a fieldfare, but mainly by harrying rather than stooping.

 

[Nina P]

I have witnessed Buzzards harrassing both Crow and Jackdaw, this also looks like they are hunting them, I have never been absolutely certain of their intent, but then the crows do give my local buzzards a hard time, especially during pairing / mating, and then the buzzards do try to evict any attempts of the corvid family nesting too close to their nesting tree.
I can look out from my landing and watch at least 5 pairs of buzzards setting up home across the range of visibility out the back, what a delight.

 

[DEREK.C.]

I have hardly ever seen my local Buzzards kill anything at all. The only thing i ever saw one take was a young rook out of the nest last year. They seem to content themselves on worms or roadkill etc .
The local Wood pigeon flock are not bothered by Buzzards at all . One flew into a tree full of Stock Dove and Wood Pigeon to perch, and the Pigeons didnt bat an eyelid.

 

[kcactionphoto]

The Turkey Buzzards here in the central plains of the US are plentiful, but I've never seen them hunt anything.

I watched a Red Tail Hawk tear a crow apart in my neighbor's front yard here in Tulsa. The hawk dropped on the unsuspecting crow from the peak of the roof and literally ripped it to pieces. Looked like he maybe ate some of the organs and left the rest. Last weekend I saw an adult bald eagle chase a group of crows from its nornal roosting tree. He circled and swept by them until they left then he took he his fav spot. As noisy as they are, I think most birds of prey just despise them. I know they will caw incessantly at me. Like natures's annoying car alarm.

 

[birdboybowley]

The Turkey Buzzards here in the central plains of the US are plentiful, but I've never seen them hunt anything.

That's because you 'buzzards' are in fact vultures - hence the no hunting!!
Our buzzards are akin to your Red-tails