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House Crow’s novel way of mobbing Peregrine Falcon

on 3rd February 2013

The location was Singapore’s Chinese Garden. The date was 1st January 2013. Samson Tan and friend… LINK noticed a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) perching on a branch of a casuarina tree (Casuarina equisetifolia).

There were many crows in the garden and Samson expected them to mob the falcon, as is usually the case. True enough, after about 10 minutes, the mobbing started. One by one the House Crows (Corvus splendens) flew by, diving near to where the falcon was perching (top and above). The latter simply ignored the crows but kept an eye on them.

Failing to chase the falcon away, the crows changed tactic. One grabbed the tip of the branch where the falcon was perching, causing the falcon to lose its balance (above and below). The falcon flew off with the crows flying after it for a short distance. Victory to the crows.

“Well, I must say that I’m impressed! The crow is indeed quite an intelligent bird that can react to different challenges,” concluded Samson.

Samson Tan
Singapore
February 2013

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. Totally agree with you, Dato Dr Amar. Whenever I see a raptor, will be waiting to see the mobbing especially those involve aerial chase which usually ended without any actual contact.

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