Murder of crows gets into turf war with police officers

[bijou]

In a scene that's equal parts Hitchcock and Assault on Precinct 13, aggressive, territorial crows near an Everett, Washington police station have singled out officers for divebomb attacks. How come? The antsy crows are defending their newly airborne chicks.

Says State Fish and Wildlife Department biologist Ruth Milner, "If your cops have done something that (the crows) perceive as a threat, they could be keying in on them because they're all wearing the same kind of uniform." Milner advises that the police shield themselves with umbrellas until the crows — which one officer claimed are "like velociraptors" — quit swooping.

Why yes they will peck your eyes out as soon as look at you.

[FreeBorn]

Ptarmigans in crow's clothing!

Don't be fooled. 

[BlueStateSaint]

I'm having problems with crows now in my garden.  Since the garden on my church's property, it's somewhat difficult to kill the crows.  Enter Hissy--the rubber snake I bought to stand guard.  4' long, when coiled up, it looks as if it's ready to strike.  Crows stay the Hell away.  Deer, OTOH, don't. 

[Eupher]

I hope the cops can run that gauntlet with something more than a wing and a prayer.

[thundley4]

"If your cops have done something that (the crows) perceive as a threat, they could be keying in on them because they're all wearing the same kind of uniform."

BS, there was a study done not too long ago that birds can tell the difference between individuals even when they are dressed the same.  More likely that there are nests or young birds which are being protected, and it wouldn't just be the cops being targeted, but everyone.

[Eupher]

BS, there was a study done not too long ago that birds can tell the difference between individuals even when they are dressed the same.  More likely that there are nests or young birds which are being protected, and it wouldn't just be the cops being targeted, but everyone.

Crows, especially, are very, very smart birds. Magpies as well (actually, they're related in the bird world) - corvidae.

[bijou]

I hope the cops can run that gauntlet with something more than a wing and a prayer.

I guess you think that the quality of that pun puts a feather in your cap.

[Eupher]

I guess you think that the quality of that pun puts a feather in your cap.

Well, now that you mention it, I'll just sit back and preen. 

[Gina]

Well, now that you mention it, I'll just sit back and preen. 

this thread is for the birds

[bijou]

this thread is for the birds

  And that's the honest truth.

[bijou]

Well, now that you mention it, I'll just sit back and preen. 

Hmm, I really shouldn't be egging you on like that.

[FreeBorn]

Crows, especially, are very, very smart birds. Magpies as well (actually, they're related in the bird world) - corvidae.

I'll second that 'Euph. Very smart indeed, to a point.

I didn't believe what I was told until I saw it with my own eyes. A friend of mine told me a pair of crows were outsmarting his neighbor's rottweiler which is kept in a chain link dog run. One crow would land just outside the fence and keep the rott's attention. The dog went nuts barking at the crow on the ground while the second crow waiting on the roof just overhead would alight on the top of the gate and pull the clothespin up from the hasp, causing the gate to swing open. Suddenly the dog didn't care about the crows and would just run off down the street. Then the crows chowed down on the dog food inside the run. Pretty slick. That takes smarts.

Then again maybe they aren't so smart after all. Another friend of mine hunts crows a lot, apart from beer and football crow hunting is his favorite pastime. His approach is simple. He takes a red teddy bear and throws it up into a tree. Then a few hoots on an owl call and it doesn't take long. Pretty soon all the trees nearby are full of crows cawing their heads off and swooping at the teddy bear. Two of us blazing away with shotguns and crows dropping left and right but they don't stop with the frenzy. Unreal. Black feathers drifting down all over like snow falling and they are captivated with attacking the teddy bear.

So who knows? I've witnessed the dog food caper and was totally impressed but slaying them by the dozen doesn't make them wise up. Maybe they're democrats? 

[Eupher]

Hmm, I really shouldn't be egging you on like that.

That's true, because I'm afraid I've about pbeaked.

But all it takes is a running leap and I'm back in flight.

[Eupher]

We've got a crop of punsters on this thread.

[BlueStateSaint]

We've got a crop of punsters on this thread.

Crop, crap, . . . it's all the same.

[bijou]

I'm sure some eagle eyed posters will spot another pun somewhere.

[Eupher]

Well, they said the do-do was extinct, but I dunno..............

And I fear with that one, I'll follow the lemmings over the cliff just like I should.......

[Gina]

That's true, because I'm afraid I've about pbeaked.

But all it takes is a running leap and I'm back in flight.

sometimes you make my heart soar

[Eupher]

sometimes you make my heart soar

Gina, sorry to break it to you, but it's probably gas.

But I got it. You're down, baby. 

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Hmm, I really shouldn't be egging you on like that.

I thought I'd participate in this thread, but after reading this, I'm just going to get the flock out of here.

[Eupher]

I thought I'd participate in this thread, but after reading this, I'm just going to get the flock out of here.

When you get right down to it, that's the kind of decision that can really clutch a man right where it counts.

[Thor]

A bunch of puns by some really flighty people.......

[thundley4]

A bunch of puns by some really flighty people.......

Birds of a feather flock together.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

I thought I'd participate in this thread, but after reading this, I'm just going to get the flock out of here.

Damn, a couple of bitch slaps.

[Gina]

I thought I'd participate in this thread, but after reading this, I'm just going to get the flock out of here.

Yeh totally going to migrate out of this thread