Thanks to Ann Marie for the photo, taken at 46th/Stevens. Usually indicates crows are nesting nearby; the state Fish and Wildlife one-sheet about crows includes a special section toward the end that’s devoted to the dive-bombing phenomenon.
This is the first year that I have started “talking” to the crows and I’m not getting dive bombed (but my neighbors are)! A couple years ago, a baby crow landed in our yard and I was surprised at how quiet it’s caws were. I’ve been quiet cawing at them like the baby and so far so good! I also on occasion leave them shiny things. ❤️ They are smart animals. Be nice to them and they MIGHT do the same to you.
I have been keeping an eye out for fledglings as i got chased through Hiawatha last year when I unwittingly walked into a family flying lesson.
That’s interesting, Bird Lady. One year I had a crow who would sit in my tree and scold my cat and me as we went for a walk. One day I stopped and stared it in the eye. “Don’t be silly,” I told it firmly but soothingly. “You know I’m not going to hurt you.“The crow shut up. It looked a little embarrassed. It shook itself and then took off. I haven’t had crows in my yard since.
Crows nested in a large conifer adjacent to my yard this year. I was expecting to be dive-bombed as soon as the babies fledged, but that hasn’t happened. I’ve been feeding the parents (and their young, by default) during the entire nesting time, so I think that had an effect. I hear them attacking passers-by, but I’ve been spared. Hoping to bond with the youngsters.
We need a sign like this on 62nd between Admiral way and Alki Ave. The same thing has been happening for the last couple of years. My mom lives on the other side of Admiral and I live on the Alki side so walking back and forth from houses I have been dive-bombed multiple times. A few weeks ago one of the crows came down and tried to grab my bun on the top of my head. I already have a fear of birds i now have to walk a different route to and from her house. I have talked to other neighbors around and they are aware of these happenings also. So how does one go about getting this sign for our street and keep both the people and crows safe?
Last year, an elderly neighbor out walking was startled by a dive-bombing crow. She lost her balance and fell, seriously damaging her knee.
This has happened to me even though I’ve been friends with our neighborhood crows for generations. One even dive bombed me when I was standing on my deck minding my own business. I investigated and learned from a crow expert that it’s not always parents defending their nests. Sometimes it’s young male crows showing off! “Counting coup” as it’s called. Showing off for one another and for the ladies.
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