Hawks and Crows mortal enemies

[MagickMuffin]

I guess this is something new in my consciousness that these two groups of birds are mortal enemies.

A few months ago a Hawk couple decided to build a home in a tree in our front yard. We watched them build the nest for a few days. At times it looked as though they had abandoned it. However, I kept a watchful eye on the nest, and lo and behold they continued to make it their home.

I continued to keep track of them and still call out to them since I learned their language last year. I've found a few feathers along the way.

So, just recently I have noticed that the Hawks and Crows have been going at it. One day I found a bunch of Crow feathers in my neighbors yard. Naturally I came to the conclusion that the Hawks are feasting on the Crows.

Then the other day I watched the Hawks and Crows fighting one another over my head. This could mean trouble. Yesterday there was a commotion the Crows were sounding out the alarm for other Crows to come to the defense of a fallen mate. We had to see what was going on. We arrived at the tree where the Hawks nest is and noticed a Crow hanging upside down in some branches. We watched as it tried to set itself upright. He/She managed to free itself upright only to get trapped upside down again. We rooted for the poor thing to once again get upright. After several attempts it managed to upright itself, catch its breath and fly off. However, it didn't get very far. It managed to make it two houses down and landed on the neighbors metal awning. While in flight it held one of its legs tucked in close to its body and the other one was dangling. When it landed it did so with a loud thump.

I ran to see if it was alright. I had to stand in the street to see it, and it appeared frightened and in shock. It held its mouth open as if trying to catch its breath. I continued keeping an eye out for it.

This all happened around sunset, so I don't know the final results of what happened to the Crow.

Did it finally get better and fly away?

Did it become Hawk food?

Did it lose its battle and die on top of the awning?

I did check the next day, and saw a few feathers but they were not black, they were grayish in color.


Just felt like sharing this adventure with you guys.