Carrion crow

A less attractive and amusing bird today, although I'm sure that's subjective.  We have a pair of carrion crows in the garden and they are very observant and I am sure very intelligent.  On the odd occasion that I throw a scrap out for the Red Kite, I can see the crows watching from the cover of the trees.  Sometimes the Kite drops something and the crows are out like a shot to retrieve it.

The Kites are the gentlest birds.  They look like raptors but they are not, they are scavengers.  The little birds fly around the garden and the pheasants bumble around the lawn, and none of them takes any notice of the Kites.  Which makes it all the more surprising today when I saw the Kite swoop down from a tree and almost grasp the crow in its claws before it could escape.  I guess the crows would take a Kite egg or chick if they had the chance, and the Kite is trying intimidating tactics.  I wish I had had my camera ready - the photographer's constant refrain!