Strange crow behaviour

[werdnal]

We have a covering of snow here today. Looked out this afternoon to see 4 crows scratching around in our field. Then I realised there was something flapping around on the ground, with one of the crows apparently attacking it. I grabbed the bins, and looked again, and it was 2 crows really laying into each other. They were both on their sides, clawing and scratching, and looking like they were going to kill each other. The other 2 were walking in circles around them, almost egging them on. Then as quickly as it started, both the fighters stood up, shook themselves, and resumed their scratching about in the snow as if nothing had happened. It looked such a violent scrap that I felt sure one would fly off to escape as soon as the chance arose, but all 4 stayed there and didn't bat an eyelid.

I just seemed so strange that one moment they appeared to be fighting to the death, then best of friends again. What was going on?

[faz]

look at crow courts in the threads lots on there :

[RKB]

Originally Posted by faz

look at crow courts in the threads lots on there :

Much simpler solution: crows usually hang around in pairs. Two pairs meet, the males fight over something (bit of food, personal space?), the females look on. Nothing too unusual.

[Lindsay-c]

I agree and on top of that it could be with the winter weather it's no surprise if they were overly aggressive over some food since it is more scarce and food is vitally important for during the cold winter...