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--001a1137b19c8e303e051994db1c Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Ravens are such interesting birds. I have a sandstone stone fire pit behind my cottage. To the side is an unmown area we keep wood, kindling etc. This morning I observed a Northern Raven hunkered down in this area, almost as if he was taking a dirt bath or incubating an egg. Occasionally he would twitch erratically, take a small leap, and then preen some part of his anatomy, pick around the debris a little, then resettle in position and repeat. There were two other Ravens in the trees close by. My first thought was he was entangled in something and trying to get free. However, after about ten minutes of this, he flew off, apparently no worse for wear. When I examined the immediate area of action I observed hundreds of red ants, highly agitated, roaming around the rocks and logs and looking for trouble. Clearly defending the nest from the Raven. My theory is the bird deliberately stirred them up so he could eat them, at the cost of many bites. It looked like a painful investment for a small return but I can't think of anything more probable? Ants must taste some good! Jamie Simpson --001a1137b19c8e303e051994db1c Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <div dir=3D"ltr">Ravens are such interesting birds.=C2=A0<div><br></div><di= v>I have a sandstone stone fire pit behind my cottage.=C2=A0 To the side is= an unmown area we keep wood, kindling etc.<div><br></div><div>This morning= I observed a Northern Raven hunkered down in this area, almost as if he wa= s taking a dirt bath or incubating an egg. Occasionally he would twitch err= atically, take a small leap, and then preen some part of his anatomy, pick = around the debris a little, then resettle in position and repeat.</div><div= ><br></div><div>There were two other Ravens in the trees close by.</div><di= v><br></div><div>My first thought was he was entangled in something and try= ing to get free. However, after about ten minutes of this, he flew off, app= arently no worse for wear. =C2=A0=C2=A0</div></div><div><br></div><div>When= I examined the immediate area of action I observed hundreds of red ants, h= ighly agitated, roaming around the rocks and logs and looking for trouble.<= /div><div><br></div><div>Clearly defending the nest from the Raven.=C2=A0 M= y theory is the bird deliberately stirred them up so he could eat them, at = the cost of many bites.</div><div><br></div><div>It looked like a painful i= nvestment for a small return but I can't think of anything more probabl= e?</div><div><br></div><div>Ants must taste some good!</div><div><br></div>= <div>Jamie Simpson</div></div> --001a1137b19c8e303e051994db1c--
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