To Kill a ... Robin?

A couple mornings ago, as I finished my cup of coffee, I watched this industrious mama robin hop back and forth across the top rail of our deck. She was carrying dried grass and weeds back and forth for well over an hour before I had to get up and start my work day.

Later, we went out to see where she had decided to build her nest. The boys were very excited to see she had chosen to live so close to our dining room window where they could watch her come and go.

Yesterday they rushed in exclaiming "Mama Robin laid eggs in the nest!" I warned the boys that they needed to stay away from the nest now. Mama Robins like to be left alone while they are trying to take care of their babies, and if they're pestered too much they may leave and abandon the eggs. Teaching moments can be found in simply observing life around us.

I had to sneak a peek myself! They are so pretty!

Alas, I fear Mama Robin will not be left alone with her eggs. Within five feet of her nest we have a suet basket, which is often visited by blackbirds. She chirps angrily as she chases them away.

Her nest is also close to the door the boys use to take Mojo out, and on the deck Mojo uses to sun himself. 

These are the least of her problems, though, because a much more devious enemy has discovered her. We were drawn to the window yesterday by a commotion and saw a ball of feathers, claws, and wings flying off the deck, squawking and chattering. Mama Robin was chasing off a coal black, chicken-sized crow. I've been unable to snap a photo of this cunning crow because as soon as he sees movement in the window he flees his perch on the deck rail. I haven't seen him at all today, so hopefully my face has warned him off for good. 

There are always crows in our yard and street, especially on trash day. Crows are known for destroying the nests of other birds and eating the eggs. Considered to be among the world's most intelligent animals, certain species of crows have been observed bait-fishing, using tools (i.e. sticks) to obtain food, and can distinguish individual people by recognizing facial features. They often congregate in large roosts and studies have shown they can communicate among themselves to formulate plans for survival and food gathering. It seems appropriate that a flock of crows is also known as a murder.

I'm rooting for you, Mama Robin!