Do crows steal/eat songbirds' eggs?

[baby_bear]

I am a relatively new birder, if I can even be called that. I had two house finches create a nest in my fake
hanging plant on my back porch last summer, and I have been a fan ever since. They came back this year, but
didn't - so far- utilize the old nest. Two babies successfully were hatched and flew from the nest. I was lucky enough to see it all.

Today, the finches were warding off a crow that seemed to be threatening them in some way. This was across the way on the roof of the next-door condo. I watched in fascination as this little bitty finch tried to intimidate the big crow. I don't know where the nest is. My question is: what is the threat by the crow to the finches or to their eggs? Would the crow steal the eggs and eat them?

Once last year, when the two eggs were in "my" nest, three, yes three, hawks came and sat upon the condo roofs right across from my own condo and the nest. I was working at my table right by the nest so I stood up in front of the hanging plant/nest until the hawks left. It was amazing.

Thanks for any insights.
b_b

[wildflowergardener]

1. I would guess so

I would guess they would. I saw an interesting thing several years ago - a group of little birds chasing away a crow. Just interesting in that it shows you how even in the bird world little birds band together to be able to stand up to bullies. I know blackbirds will kill other birds - don't know about crows.

Meg

[baby_bear]

3. That is what I saw

The two finches, who are about a quarter or less the size of the crow, just ran up and down the roof and chirped chirped chirped until the crow was antagonized enough to leave. It was quite amazing.

Thanks for your thoughts.

b_b

P.S. I also have a robin who likes to roost momentarily on the highest rock in my garden. I have to be vigilant to keep cats away, including my own.

[japple]

4. Last week as I was leaving work, I saw a mockingbird high-tailing

after a crow and both were screeching at the top of their lungs. The crow finally gave up. Today, I saw (probably the same) mockingbird circling a tree while a crow (possibly the same one) swooped by it several times. I guess the mockingbird must have a nest and is trying to protect it.

[wildflowergardener]

5. mockingbirds

When I first moved into my house, I saw a mockingbird dive-bomb my dog - though he was minding his own business, not bothering anything - just standing out in the back yard.

Sometimes I just think they do it for fun.

Meg

[XemaSab]

2. Crows are very opportunistic omnivores

So yes, they will eat bird eggs and nestlings.

[baby_bear]

6. Thanks, XemaSab

A friend the water (in Kingston, WA) says he has been chasing off crows from the killdeer nest that is on the ground near the waterfront. I guess that is typical for killdeer. Sure seems vulnerable.

b_b

[pscot]

7. Squirrels

actually do more damage than crows.

[TaleWgnDg]

8. interesting stuff about crows here at Cornell's ornitholgy lab url . . .

.

And, to answer your original question: yes, crows eat other bird eggs and nestlings too.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/American_Crow_dtl.html