It was in the middle of May in 2014, when we were brought two carrion crow nestlings, whose nest got destroyed during a storm. Both birds have been found on the ground the day after the storm by a dog walker. At arrival both birds were barely responsive, hypothermic and dehydrated. The birds, who we named Pepper and Chilli, suffered a concussion and bruises to chest and back, but luckily no fractures. Pepper, who was the smaller one of the two, did also show signs of a nutritional deficiency, a spinal concussion and splayed legs.
Carrion crow nestlings Chilli and Pepper
The first 48 hours were touch and go, but sleepless nights and intensive care measures paid off and both birds started to recover. We fitted a soft foam brace to stabilise Pepper’s hip joints and in a second step some shoes to support her ankle joints. Four weeks later, after brace and shoes were removed, Pepper started to walk normally and was able to perch. She quickly gained strength and confidence.
The Corvid Isle Sanctuary is situated in the Scottish Highlands. We are a small fully self-funded non-for-profit sanctuary (License Number MAU 016710) and provide a permanent home for more than 30 native unreleasable birds. Please consider to support our work by making a financial contribution via GoFundMe. If you are interested in other ways to support us, then please check out our Support page for more details. You can also use our Contact page to get in touch with us, if you require more information.
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This blog post is aimed to provide some useful information regarding the potential need for the management of interspecies interactions between different corvid species in captivity. We are frequently being asked, mostly by rehabbers and rescue centres, if and how certain corvid species can be kept together in an aviary environment. This question often becomes of interest due to a reoccurring problem in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation – the lack of available aviary space.
To shed some light onto this topic, one has to consider two different main scenarios. If and how different corvid species can and should be kept together depends on the set goal to be achieved, as there are different considerations to be made. The two main scenarios are rescue, rehabilitation and release opposed to long-term care in a sanctuary like environment. We will discuss and examen both scenarios in this blogpost.
Are corvids cold blooded killers or merely opportunistic scavengers? This is the question we are trying to answer in this blog post. Mainstream media and advertising businesses often have a tendency to present an idyllic and idealised version of farming practices, showcasing for example animals living in picturesque environments. This imagery is employed to evoke positive emotions and create a connection with consumers. It is nothing else than a marketing strategy aimed at promoting the products derived from the use of non-human animals, such as meat or wool, by associating them with positive and wholesome images. Humans have a natural inclination to connect with and appreciate the beauty of animals. The sight of a playful and adorable lamb triggers positive emotions, such as joy and warmth, which does evoke empathy and a sense of compassion.
Photo credits: FreeImages.com/takatuka
Bearing this in mind, then it is not surprising that the sight of corvids scavenging on such an innocent being will without a doubt be repulsive for most people, who will immediately sympathise with the victim, and not with the scavenger. Unfortunately, media representations of such wildlife interactions with domesticated non-human animals are commonly very much one-sided, despite the well known fact that it is always essential to consider all nuances and complexities of such interactions.
Jackdaw Alyona
Media portrayals often focus on dramatic or attention-grabbing stories, which can lead to an exaggerated or sensationalised narrative. While isolated instances of corvid predation on lambs occur, it is essential to keep in mind that wildlife predation is just one among many factors influencing lamb mortality. It is crucial to take scientific research in account, as we will do, when discussing these matters.
We will show the links between mainstream media, their owners and agricultural businesses, and we will demonstrate historical, cultural and psychological background information to explain why a picture of corvids as being coldblooded killers is being painted. We will look into the human psyche, but also at the reality of agricultural businesses.
