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Crows predating chicks

on 22nd February 2010

“I have been watching crows harvesting chicks from the date palm trees around my condo. The palm trees are pretty unprotected and the crows make a round every week or so, often managing to leave with a chick in beak.

“I managed to chase away a crow that was trying to snatch a chick from a Spotted Dove (Streptopelia chinensis) that nested in a date palm tree just outside my window (left). After being chased away, it never returned and the chicks fledged successfully.

“It appears that the crows have a fixed route of locations that they visit and they only make a visit approximately once a week.

“Wonder if anyone has similar observations.”

Jeremy Lee
Singapore
9th February 2010

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

2 Responses

  1. I have often seen House Crows being chased away by birds. I have presumed this is to keep them away from their nesting young. In particular I have often seen the Black-Naped Oriole (Oriolus chinensis) do this. Recently I saw a Pied Triller (Lalage nigra) chase a House Crow for quite some distance, probably for the same reason.

    Appreciate the interesting post & the chasing away of the crow.

  2. I have a similar observation.
    In 2007 a pair of yellow vented bulbuls nested in my yard in june. the chicks mysterously disappeared.
    2008 found no nestings from terrified parents, although they visited it several times, as did a house crow…
    2009 found a nest in my neighbor’s yard, however the chicks again disappeared.
    This year, the bulbuls nested again. the chicks hatched but again disappeard.

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