WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Reader alert about ‘dive-bombing crow’

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Out of the inbox this afternoon, from Lorabeth:

I wanted other WSB readers to know there is a dive-bombing crow guarding territory immediately in front of the entrance to the Admiral Branch of the Seattle Public Library.

He hit me in the head and made several more attempts as I hurried to get out of the area. I think there may be a nest in one of the trees near the front steps.

I called the library and also alerted them. Will wear a hard hat next time!

WDFW’s ‘Living With Wildlife‘ one-sheet about crows includes info about dive-bombing.

Bonnie May 10, 2017 (4:43 pm)

We just had a crow dive bomb and bite my daughters baby chicken she had out in the yard for some sunshine. Not the same area though. Fauntleroy

Al May 10, 2017 (5:09 pm)

Had that happen to me once. Get a water pistal and hit them once. They never did it again

justme May 10, 2017 (5:55 pm)

They’re doing it again near Hiawatha too. If you raise a fist to them and yell they will stop.

newnative May 10, 2017 (6:17 pm)

Haha, I am not the only one who makes eye contact and tells em off!

justme May 10, 2017 (6:31 pm)

Newnative: ha! They are smart little devils. I had a bird bath in my backyard that some crows were using to soak their stale food garbage to make it taste better….I moved the bird bath over between the house and garage and they were furious with me. They dive bombed me all summer!

Bird lover May 10, 2017 (7:09 pm)

I’ve been divebombed many times. They are protecting their nests and their young. Clapping and yelling sometimes helps- but not always! It reminds me of that old Hitchcock movie “The Birds.”

Just Saying... May 10, 2017 (8:10 pm)

Do you realize that crows are actually smart? They remember your face and “talk” to other crows. They can problem solve. Sounds like they adapted their behavior against people who treated them poorly.

If you had a nest of babies wouldn’t you try to protect your young? Why is it different than people protecting their young. Who likes to be yelled at and hit with a water pistol….the crows talk. Enjoy being dived bombed!

Ric May 11, 2017 (9:39 am)

I’ve seen video of them making a tool to retrieve food from a glass tube. They are very smart. Witnessed a crow “wake” in the RiteAide parking lot. Big racket for about 5 minutes. Also had a fledgling walk into my shop. Thought he might be injured but just wasn’t ready to fly. We hung out for a while,he got up on my shoulder with no fear,even let me smooth out his feathers. Of course,mom and dad voiced their displeasure and would scream at me daily on my walk to and from work for about three weeks. I even named him Edgar and I’d like to think he’s the lone crow that hangs out on my bench footrest from time to time.

newnative May 10, 2017 (8:35 pm)

They also attack people minding their own business.

Workdowntown May 10, 2017 (8:52 pm)

Yeah, I’ve been hit by angry crows by the library before, this time of year. Now I carry almonds and throw them out if they are being aggressive. Seems to calm then down.

Badcrow May 10, 2017 (10:22 pm)

Enjoy being dive bombed? Yes, I protect my young, but I don’t attack everyone that comes within 20′..

secretbirdfeeder May 11, 2017 (8:34 am)

Keeping my identity a secret and my husband says I’m goofy but I feed the crows in our neighborhood!

And as “Just saying” says they are very smart birds, there have been studies done on them to prove this fact.

When I’m driving down our street there’s 2 crows that see me and they start squawking and fly down to our house and just sit and wait for me to throw something out to them, never once been attacked.

sam-c May 11, 2017 (9:29 am)

The only time a crow dive-bombed me, it was (likely) due to my shiny barrette.

Busrider May 11, 2017 (7:09 pm)

There must be a nest nearby. I have seen the parents be very protective of their young and dive bomb people, dogs and cats walking by.

Other crows will also help the parents to guard their young.

If the babies die (i.e. Get caught by a dog or cat before they know how to fly) then the parents will cry for several days thereafter in grief. :( I hope to never have to hear the sound again of the grieving parents.

Sorry, comment time is over.