[obol] Bird harassment

[Lars and Gail Norgren]

      While working on a Christmas tree plantation in 
Bellfountain(Benton Co)
immediately sw of WLFNWR, I observed a raven engage
in what appeared to be play rather than harassment.
A few old growth Douglas-firs stood 30m
taller than the solid stand of second growth
surrounding them. A raven frequented these
taller trees and attempted to engage all large
birds that came by. It didn't make calls
or dives or any mobbing acts, but flew above,
beside, behind the other bird in a slalom
course through the old growth trees. This was
believeable with a red=tailed hawk, but
what amazed me was when a turkey vulture
joined the raven in weaving in and out of
the tall trees at considerable speed. I wouldn't
have believed they were that agile.
     This was September of 1977. This was a
fairly tall ridge running west to east and
the prevailing sw wind probably facilitated
such horse play.
Lars Norgren
MANNING OREGON
On Aug 2, 2006, at 8:07 AM, Ray Korpi wrote:

> All,
> Responding to Pamela's request, I had a fun time this last Saturday as 
> an accipiter (probably a male Cooper's but I could not rule out 
> Sharp-shinned as I had no binos) spent 10 minutes harassing a Turkey 
> Vulture here over the Clark College campus.  The campus abuts the 
> Harney heights region of Vancouver, and hawks and vultures in 
> migration and just generally cruising often work the ridgeline across 
> campus, running afoul of the local accipiters.
>
> Was fascinating to watch the smaller bird, about the length of one 
> wing of the TV, harass the bigger bird, while calling almost 
> constantly.  The TV was surprisingly agile in dodging the parries of 
> the smaller bird
> Ray Korpi
> rkorpi at hotmail.com
> Vancouver WA
>
>
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