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Home , Common loon, Common raven

31 Notes

Common Kill a Common

Kathy Irwin, Bob Irwin and Ron Tozer

On 4 December 2002, the only choice of food; almost anything edi­ remaining open water on Baptiste ble will do, from to freshly Lake, Hastings, near Bancroft, killed small mammals and or , was some distance from birds' , other small , shore. There had been several previ­ , and other small forms of 0us days with cold temperatures life; garbage and various (down to -25°C), and the lake was forms of vegetable matter are also freezing over. From their lakeshore welcome". researcher, home, Bob and Kathy Irwin noticed Bernd Heinrich (1999), has a large waterbird begin to run along described these birds as "oppor­ the surface of the open water in tunistic generalists that can feed on attempting to take flight as three almost anything from fresh carcass­ flying Common Ravens ( es and the insects feeding on rotten corax) approached. Single ravens carcasses, to tomatoes, Cheetos, and then took turns swooping to peck at dog droppings". There are many the as it struggled to become published accounts of predatory airborne, and the ravens finally suc­ behaviour by ravens, including ceeded in knocking it out of the air attacks on live , bison, cat­ and onto the ice. The ravens landed tle, lambs, fish, and seal pups on the ice beside the still struggling (Heinrich 1989, 1999). However, bird, and pecked it until it stopped "most of the reported moving. The ravens then proceeded are on other birds" (Heinrich 1999). to feed on the carcass. Bob Irwin There are numerous records of (Fisheries Consultant) and Kathy Common Ravens catching and Irwin (OMNR Bancroft District killing birds (Boarman and Biologist) examined the remains of Heinrich 1999), with the prey "often the victim on the ice of Baptiste struck in midair" (Heinrich 1999). Lake on 30 December, and deter­ These included raven attacks on mined that it was a juvenile Rock Doves (Columba livia; Elkins (Gavia immer). 1964, Maser 1975, Jefferson 1989, Schmidt-Koenig and Prinzinger Discussion 1992), an eider (Somateria sp.; Watts Bent (1946) reported ravens to be et al. 1991), and Northern Fulmars "not at all particular about their (Fulmarus glacialis; Jensen 1991)

VOLUME 21 NUMBER 1 32 that were flying at the time. Madge and Burn 1994). Interestingly, the American Ravens appear to recognize (Corvus brachyrhynchos) has been and attack birds that are sick, observed catching small birds in injured or otherwise disadvantaged flight and killing them, as well with respect to escape, that may be (Verbeek and Caffrey 2002), includ­ too large to be preyed upon nor­ ing the European Starling (Sturnus mally (see Goodwin 1976). vulgaris; Cuccia 1984) and the Published examples of this type of House Sparrow (Passer domesticus; situation include a raven chasing an Putnam 1992). Other reports of injured Scoter (Melanitta Common Ravens attacking and nigra; Maguire 2000), and one that killing adult birds have involved attacked and killed a Whimbrel partridge (Perdix sp.; Madge and (Numenius phaeopus) after this Burn 1994), Ruffed (Bonasa large shorebird had been repeated­ umbellus; Allen and Allen 1986), ly stooped on by a ptarmigan (Lagopus sp.; White and (Falco peregrinus; Maguire 2000). Cade 1971), Black-legged Kittiwake The Baptiste Lake attack on the (Rissa tridactyla; Parmelee and Common Loon may have been Parmelee 1988, Klicka and Winker another example of this kind of 1991), and puffin (Fratercula sp.; raven . Occasionally, Common stay on lakes until freeze-up in cen­ Perceptor tral Ontario, and often, these linger­ Brownsville Junction Plaza, ers are young-of-the-year (Ron Box 38, Suite 201, Schomberg, Ontario LOG ITO Tozer, pers. obs.). Sometimes, these SERVING BIRDERS FOR OVER 20 YEARS late loons even remain to the point FRIENDLY SERVICE EXPERT ADVICE LOW PRI:'I!S where the reduced amount of open Binoculars, Spotting Scopes, Telescopes, Tripods and Accessories water prevents them from taking Popular Brands - im;luding Swarovs1ci flight. At least some of these loons may involve juveniles that are still Orderconveniently by phone, or visit our showroom in the plaza not capable of sustained flight due west side ofHwy '1:7, 1/2 mile south ofHwy 9. to a late hatching date, especially in 2nd ftoor(via blue door offcourtyard) years when lakes freeze over early. Wednesday lOam to 6pm * Closed on some Thursday lOam to 6pm summer Fridays These factors may have been rele­ Friday • IDam to 6pm and Saturdays vant in the Baptiste Lake loon inci­ Saturday * lOam to 4pm - please call- dent reported here. The ravens may Phone: 905-939-2313 have recognized the loon's vulnera­ Ifthe above number is "long distance" from your area, then call ... bility and then pressed their attack. toll free: 1-877-452-1610 Adult Common Loons are con­ Fax: (90S) 939..8274 sidered to have "few known preda­ Major Credit Canis accepted tors on (the) breeding grounds", 2S% discount for cash or cheque with Common Ravens reported as ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 2003 33 predators only (McIntyre and Madge, S. and H. Burn. 1994. and Barr 1997). We found no previous Jays: Guide to the Crows, Jays, and of the World. Houghton Mifflin published account of an adult-sized Company, New York. Common Loon being attacked and Maguire, A.J. 2000. Whimbrel attacked by a killed by the . Peregrine Falcon and killed by a Common Raven in northern . Wilson Bulletin 112: 429-430. Literature Cited Maser, C. 1975. Predation by Common Allan, T. and S. Allan. 1986. Common Raven Ravens on feral Rock Doves. Wilson attacks Ruffed Grouse. Jack-Pine Warbler Bulletin 87: 552-553. 64: 43-44. McIntyre, J.W. and J.E Barr. 1997. Common Bent, A.C. 1946. American Raven (Corvus Loon (Gavia immer). In The Birds of corax sinuatus). Pp. 201-214 in Life North America, No. 313 (A. Poole and F. Histories of North American Jays, Crows, Gill, editors). Academy of Natural and Titmice (A.C. Bent, editor). United Sciences, Philadelphia, and American States National Museum Bulletin 191, Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. Parmelee, D.F. and J.M. Parmelee. 1998. Boarman, W.I. and B. Heinrich. 1999. Ravens observed killing roosting kitti­ Common Raven (Corvus corax). In The wakes. Condor 90: 952. Birds of North America, No. 476 (A. Poole Putnam, M.S. 1992. captures and F. Gill, editors). The Birds of North House Sparrow in flight. Passenger America, Inc., Philadelphia. Pigeon 54: 247-249. Cuccia, J. 1984. American Crow attacks Schmidt·Koenig, K. and R. Prinzinger. 1992. European Starling in mid-air. Corvus corax strikes flying pigeon. Kingbird 34: 32. Vogelwelt 133: 98. Elkins, N. 1964. Raven catching Rock-dove Verbeek, N.A.M. and C. Caffrey. 2002. in the air. British Birds 57: 302. American Crow (Corvus brachyrhyn­ Goodwin, D. 1976. Crows of the World. chos). In The Birds of North America, No. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New 647 (A. Poole and F. Gill, editors). The York. Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia. Heinrich, B. 1989. Ravens in Winter. Simon Watts, P.D., B.A. Draper, and P.D. Idle. 1991. & Schuster, Inc., New York. Environmental influences on roost selection Heinrich, B. 1999. Mind of the Raven. in wintering ravens at Churchill, Manitoba, HarperCollins Publishers Inc., New York. . Arctic and Alpine Research 23: Jefferson, B.1989. Observations of Common 66-70. Raven in Metropolitan Toronto. Ontario White, C.M. and T.J. Cade. 1971. Cliff-nest­ Birds 7: 15-20. ing raptors and ravens along the Colville Jensen, J.K. 1991. Ravens attack fulmars in River in arctic . The Living Bird 10: the air. Dan. Ornithol. Foren. Tidsker. 85: 107-150. 181. KIicka, J. and K. Winker. 1991. Observations of ravens preying on adult kittiwakes. Condor 93: 755-757.

Kathy Irwin, 15 Irwin Lane, R.R. 1, Maynooth, Ontario KOL 2S0

Bob Irwin, 15 Irwin Lane, R.R. 1, Maynooth, Ontario KOL 2S0

Ron Tozer, 1017 Spring Lake Road, R.R. 1, Dwight, Ontario POA IHO

VOLUME 21 NUMBER 1 34

White-winged Crossbill Predation by Blue

Brad Steinberg and Ron Tozer

On 22 February 2003, at 1100h, wound in the back of its head, Steinberg was snowshoeing along a probably inflicted by the . trail about 50 m north of Access The adult crossbills and the Blue Point #9 in Algonquin Provincial Jay stayed near as the dead young Park, on the Madawaska River bird was examined, but were much between Whitefish and Rock Lakes quieter. A search for a nest was in Nightingale Township, Haliburton, undertaken, but none was found. Ontario. The site was a mixed forest with several large Eastern Hemlocks Discussion (Tsuga canadensis) and White The young crossbill was preserved Spruce (Picea glauca), a few snags, (frozen) at the Algonquin Park some scattered White Birch (Betula Visitor Centre, and weighed 17.3 g papyrifera), and many small Balsam when measured two days later, on 24 Firs (Abies balsamea). A male and February. It probably weighed a lit­ female White-winged Crossbill tle more when fresh on 22 February. (Loxia leucoptera) were heard This young crossbill's weight and vocalizing and then seen diving at fully feathered state suggest a something either on or near the nestling near fledging, but it might ground, approximately 15 m away just recently have left the nest (Craig from the trail. Benkman, pers. comm.). By compar­ Steinberg snowshoed over to ison, White-winged Crossbill fledg­ investigate, and after having trav­ lings with partially crossed elled about 5 m, saw a Blue Jay mandibles (which begins after about ( cristata) fly up and two weeks out of the nest) had a come toward him with a dark mean weight of 23.5 g, while non­ object in its bill. As it approached immature males and females from him, the jay dropped what it was Ontario averaged 25.8 g and 24.9 g, carrying, perhaps because his pres­ respectively (Benkman 1992). ence had startled it. The dropped If the young crossbill was taken object landed about 1 m in front of from a nest by the Blue Jay, the Steinberg on the snow. It turned occurrence would apparently con­ out to be a dead, young White­ stitute the first published report of winged Crossbill that was still predation of a White-winged warm to the touch (Figures 1 and Crossbill nestling. Benkman (1992) 2). The young crossbill had a deep noted in The Birds ofNorth America ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 2003 35

o 1 2 I l l I Figure 1: Dead young White-winged Crossbill with wound to back of head, probably inflicted by Blue Jay, 22 February 2003. Photo by Kevin Clute.

Figure 2: White-winged Crossbill young, showing uncrossed mandibles, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, 22 February 2003. Photo by Kevin Clute. VOLUME 21 NUMBER 1 36

that there was "no information on Coady (2001) estimated incubation nest predators" of the White-winged as 14 to 16 days. There is no infor­ Crossbill, but that they give an "alarm mation available on the period from call when red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hatching to departure from the nest hudsonicus) or Gray Jays ( for the White-winged Crossbill canadensis) approach " and (Benkman 1992). However, Red "both are potential nest predators". Crossbills usually fledge at 18 to 22 Hard mast (seeds and nuts), wild days after hatching (Newton 1972), fruit, insects, and cultivated grains and the White-winged Crossbill may and fruit are the items most frequent­ be similar. Utilizing these figures, 1y eaten by Blue Jays, but they are the young crossbill reported here known to consume some carrion and may have hatched in late January or small vertebrates, including adult early February, from an laid birds, their eggs, and nestlings (Tarvin about mid January. and Woolfenden 1999). Nesting by White-winged The probable timing of the Crossbills may occur in any month nesting that produced this young of the year (Godfrey 1986), with crossbill can be estimated rougWy. food availability being the most Benkman (1992) reported the important factor influencing its tim­ White-winged Crossbill incubation ing (Benkman 1990). Benkman period as probably 12 to 14 days. (1992) identified three main nesting periods during the year, correspon­ ding to conifer cone ripening phe­ ------l~'---- nology, including one beginning in January and February and requiring PeleeCWirms big "spruce cone crops with large numbers of seeds held in cones NATURE STORE 636 Point Pelee Dr. Leamington ON N8H 3V4 through winter". White-winged Birding • Nature • Opdcs • Books Crossbills build a nest lined with Wildlife Art &.. Craft • Clothing "slender roots, moss, lichen, hair, Canada's Largest Selection of Binoculars and Scopes! cocoons and fine shreds of inner bark" that provides enough insula­ tion to allow breeding during win­ ~ ter (Benkman 1992). Despite tem­ SWAROVSKI peratures from mid January to late February 2003 that ranged from -380 C to only 40 C at the Lake Sasajewun weather station in When You're Ready For The Best! Algonquin Park (Matt Cornish, For FAST Mail Delivery or Quote... pers. comm.), these crossbills were CALL or FAX: 519-326-5193 able to produce young. E-mail: [email protected] White-winged Crossbills were ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 2003 37 common in Algonquin Park during February, and widespread breeding the winter of 2002-2003, feeding was believed to have occurred. primarily on the abundant White Spruce cone crop. For example, a Acknowledgements total of 2,060 White-winged We thank Craig Benkman for com­ Crossbills was recorded on the ments on an earlier draft, Dan Algonquin Park Christmas Bird Strickland for weighing the cross­ Count on 4 January 2003. Many bill, Kevin Clute for photographing pairs and singing/displaying males it, and Matt Cornish for supplying were observed through January and the temperature data.

Literature Cited Benkman, C.W. 1990. Foraging rates and the Godfrey, W.E. 1986. The Birds of Canada. timing of crossbill . Auk 107: Revised Edition. National Museums of 376-386. Canada, Ottawa. Benkman, C.W. 1992. White-winged Crossbill Newton, 1.1972. Finches. Collins, London. (Loxia leucoptera). In The Birds of North Tarvin, K.A. and G.E. Woolfenden. 1999. America, No. 27 (A. Poole, P. Stettenheim, Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata). In The and F. Gill, editors). Academy of Natural Birds of North America, No. 469 (A. Poole Sciences, Philadelphia, and American and F. Gill, editors). The Birds of North Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. America, Inc., Philadelphia. Coady G. 2001. First nest record ofWhite­ winged Crossbill in the Greater Toronto Area. Ontario Birds 19: 101-111

Brad Steinberg, Algonquin Park Visitor Centre, Box 219, Whitney, Ontario KOJ 2MO

Ron Tozer, 1017 Spring Lake Road, R.R. 1, Dwight, Ontario POA 1RO

VOLUME 21 NUMBER 1