What is this crow up to?

[Anzu]

Hi guys,

There has been a crow outside the window pretty much all day today (since early morning) and although it is not calling consistently it keeps reappearing on the same aerial and repeating the same call in bouts. Just wondering what it is up to?

I can't see any other crows nearby. The call is a 'Raaah Raaah Raaah' in half second intervals. It does this 4-7 times in a row then stops and seems to look around. As it makes this sound it does a little bow.



Sometimes it will also bow and make 2 longer 'Raaaaaaah's.

It doesn't look flustered in any way and I have seen it preen itself mid calls.

Just very curious, please help if you can!

Thank you for looking.

[Little Birder]

Is it just a Carrion Crow? Or a Rook? Either way this is extremely rare and unusual behavior for almost any bird. It may be injured and crying for help or unable to fly. Keep me updated tommorow.

[Anzu]

Carrion crow, it flies ok because it will fly down from its post. It has stopped for this evening but I shall see if it starts up again tomorrow morning

[RoyW]

It's hard to say what it is doing really. It could be territorial, it could be some sort of alarm call (perhaps due to the presence of a cat in a nearby garden?).

[Kayleigh]

The sparrows in my garden are squabbling atm I think this is a territorial thing they do this this time of year they seem to know where the best feeding stations are maybe the crow is doing this.

[Anzu]

It has started up again this morning, did it for about half an hour then stopped for a break and now is back at it.

I have filmed the behavior so you guys can see it.

Crow calling - YouTube

[Acipiter]

It may be the posted sentry. some members of the crow family post sentries to warn others that may be feeding, of "any thing" that they see of as a threat.

[RoyW]

It doesn't look like it's taking any notice of anything on the ground (like a cat), so I would think that it has decided to advertise the area as its territory and/or is trying to attract a mate (some corvids pair up during the autumn).

[Acipiter]

Do you have a walnut tree near by? I have seen the same behaviour before, and this turned out to be the cause,(the sentry is on duty while the others are nicking the nuts) or as Roy as said, it could be advertising for a mate. Or calling for a lost one.

[Anzu]

Cool Thank you guys, these are some good ideas. I like the idea that it is advertising its territory and perhaps looking for a mate.

No walnut trees that I know of.