Crows... and Hummingbirds

[Zylah]

Many of you already know that I recently relocated from the East Coast USA to the West Coast. Obviously such a relatively wide distance of geography implies a lot of changes - the trees here are very different; the Coastal Redwoods alone make you fall in love with them on sight, and the eucalyptus hung with Spanish moss are incredibly atmospheric.

So, lots of changes - but one odd thing I've noticed quite a lot since arriving here is that the crows and hummingbirds seem to hang around together. I've honestly never seen so many of either type of bird; they're all over here, which I love! But it really mystifies me to see them together; probably in part because of their disparity in size, flight pattern, shape, and cry - but also because I never saw them near each other back East.

I don't actually have a question, although if anyone knows something about this behavioral pattern I'd be interested to hear it! I just thought I'd share it because it's unusual and fascinating (at least to me).

[Art]

I suppose it could be a sign of harmony, tranquility and tolerance promoted by the spirits of the place. On the other hand,the crows might be sizing up the hummers for plumpness, tenderness and readiness for tossing into the corvid equivalent of a pot!

[Zylah]

Art, quite true. Except honestly, it's the hummer who follows the corvid most of the time! I just took the dog out, and there they were at the fountain: crow perched on the side, hummer hovering over the top. Later, around a few corners, a crow flew from one tree to another to another, consistently accompanied or followed by a hummer. This seriously goes on all the time here. It's bizarre but endearing; sort of like my children, LOL.

[Corwen]

Maybe the hummingbird feels safe near the crow, perhaps the crow keeps away predators or is alert to them in a way that benefits the hummingbird. Lots of unrelated animals hang about together and understand each others alarm calls. I notice when stalking rabbits here on the farm that its the pigeons you have to look out for as they act as lookouts for all the animals and will sound the alarm making the rabbits run and hide. Sometimes animals hang about together because one can find food which they all can share, like the way robins hang around digging creatures (like gardeners, or failing that badgers) waiting for them to disturb the ground and flush out insects.

[Zylah]

Corwen - yes, that clarifies a few more possibilities! I hadn't thought of the possible protection factor. I was considering a common food source, which I guess is possible, i.e. crows eat things that attract insects, which hummers ingest for protein. It's aesthetically delightful, whatever the cause!

[Jake]

Interesting! I wonder what's going on? It doesn't sound right that the crows would be alerting the hummingbirds to predators since crows are one of the predators whose presence hummers would need to be alerted to.

Crows regularly eat hummingbird eggs and nestlings so you'll sometimes see hummers dive-bombing crows but it sounds unusual to see them just hanging out together like that. Maybe it's just all those groovy NorCal vibes making everybody feel friendly.

One of my oldest friends is an ornithologist in the Bay Area. If you like I can ask him about your hummingbird/crow pals and see what he might know.

[Zylah]

I vote for the vibes, personally. I didn't realize crows ate hummer babies; that puts a whole new weird spin on the phenomenon. It would be GREAT if your ornithologist friend has some further insight! Thank you.

[Twig]

Personally, I think it might be the other way around: The hummers might be sizing up the crows! They are feisty little warriors. You never want to let one of them get into your house. They will dive at you peck you! I know -- any bird would do that if suddenly made "captive," but hummers are notoriously aggressive.

Blue jays are mean & rude, but they will take it upon themselves to warn all birds (regardless of type) within earshot of a predator in the vicinity. That sort of makes up for their bad attitude.