Why Do Crows and Hawks Fight?

Have you ever seen a group of crows attacking a lone hawk? If so, then you may have found yourself wondering if it is common for crows and hawks to fight. After all, other than being birds, these two animals don’t seem like they would have a lot in common, or a lot to fight over. Below, learn why crows and hawks fight, as well as the answer to several other frequently asked questions about the relationship between these two birds.

Why Do Crows Attack Hawks?  

When you see a group of crows attacking a hawk, it isn’t because the birds are just being bullies. Instead, they’re attacking out of self-defense, whether that involves protecting their territory or their nest.

Hawks are powerful raptors with widely diverse diets. Many species of hawks, including those that commonly bump heads with crows, will eat other, smaller birds. This includes young crow offspring. As a result, during the breeding season, crows may be even more territorial and aggressive towards hawks. This is their way of defending their hatchlings from these predators.

What is Mobbing?

The behavior described above is actually fairly common in smaller birds, and it is known as mobbing. While crows will often mob in groups, other birds, such as the northern mockingbird, may do so on their own. Mobbing occurs when a small bird dashes or flies at a larger bird, or even occasionally a mammal, in order to intimidate it. 

For smaller birds that can’t match raptors in strength alone, they often have to come with reinforcements. Many times, a large enough mob of birds will be enough to harass a predator and force it away from the territory.

Do Other Birds Mob?

As learned above, crows aren’t the only birds that mob. However, mobbing also isn’t restricted to smaller birds like the northern mockingbird. Instead, you may also find that other species, such as ravens, will engage in mobbing behaviors. 

Although uncommon, raptors may even engage in mobbing behaviors occasionally. This is seen most often in the peregrine falcon.

Are Hawks Afraid of Crows?

When it comes to smaller birds mobbing them, hawks often don’t pay these territorial birds any mind. However, crows are larger than your common songbird, with the ability to assert far more aggression and power in groups. In fact, a group of crows may even kill a hawk. As a result, hawks often tend to be far more wary when mobbed by crows. 

Regardless of this though, hawks are still apex predators. As a result, while they may still exert caution when it comes to facing a group of crows, they won’t be easily frightened away.

Will a Crow Attack for No Reason?

A crow won’t attack another bird for no reason, although it may seem like such from an outside perspective. Crows are highly intelligent birds, with the ability to recognize and remember. As a result, crows are able to readily identify potential threats, whether that’s another bird or even a human. Because of this, when crows identify possible threats near an area they are protecting, they’ll likely engage in mobbing behavior.

When a crow mobs a human, although they may only swoop without actually attacking, it can raise questions as to why. This is because you may experience the behavior of the crow without ever seeing a nest. However, crows will only mob or attack as a way of protection, so if you happen to experience a crow swooping at you, it means you may have accidentally stumbled too close to their territory. 

Do Crows Mob Other Birds of Prey?

As mentioned above, crows won’t just mob hawks. Instead, they will also mob humans, mammals, and other raptors. One of the most notable targets for a crow’s mob is an owl. Like hawks, owls are apex predators that may prey on young crows and other small birds. Because of this, crows are also likely to mob owls. In fact, crows actively seek to push all owls out of their territory, a behavior that certain hawks also engage in. 

Species Profile: Crow

The term “crow” refers to many species found in the genus Corvus. It may also be used to refer to all species in this genus, although this is less accurate. There are at least 34 discovered species of crows, with these species being spread throughout much of the world. Often, due to their black plumage, bills, and legs, there is little variation in species. However, other species, such as the pied crow, will present with distinct white markings.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Elliotte Rusty Harold/Shutterstock.com