24 October 2023
On 18 October whilst Jim McCollum was once taking pictures of the Hays bald eagles a raven confirmed up and started to annoy the new male eagle, nicknamed “V.”
10/18 – The brand new fella went for a fly about and were given jumped through a Raven. The Raven chased him far and wide the sky. This man must paintings on his combating abilities.
Jim’s pictures have been shared to the 40 Acres a.okay.a. Hays Woods Fanatics Fb staff the place Dave Dutzik remembered a tale about crows that piqued my hobby.
Somewhat tidbit I learn not too long ago. Crows will lite on eagles backs and peck at their necks. The eagles don’t combat again simply leap upper and better till for loss of oxygen the crow passes out and falls off the eagles again. I’m now not certain in regards to the validity however it’s a excellent tale!
Is it a real tale? Let’s glance into it.
At what altitude does loss of oxygen impact birds?
Birds are the champions of prime altitude and will breed and workout (fly) at altitudes that kill people. Some species are so neatly tailored to prime altitude that they fly as prime as a jet, over the Himalayas the place people die with out supplemental oxygen.
Migrating birds within the Caribbean(*) are most commonly seen round 10,000 ft, even supposing some are discovered part and a few two times that top. Normally long-distance migrants appear to start out out at about 5,000 ft after which steadily climb to round 20,000 ft.
(*) Migrating birds within the Caribbean = warblers!
Is loss of oxygen the explanation why the crow leaves the eagle? No. The crow leaves since the eagle is not a danger or since the crow is drained.
How prime can a crow, a raven and a bald eagle fly?
So the simpler query is: How prime can a raven fly? Can a bald eagle apply him?
For more info see Top-altitude champions: birds that reside and migrate at altitude and this antique article.
(pictures through Jim McCollum)