My only other close encounter with a hunting hawk was about 25 years ago, driving to work in Coronado one morning. I turned a corner, and a hawk had just caught a pigeon mid-air, right in front of my mini-van. The hawk saw my car coming, and dropped the pigeon. Otherwise I might’ve collided with both. I doubt the pigeon survived.

Today I saw a dove on the telephone pole across the street. As I watched, two crows and another dove flew at it, startling it into flying away. Then they all dispersed. I didn’t understand this until I noticed two hawks circling nearby. I think the crows and dove were warning the dove who was sitting exposed. It doesn’t surprise me that the other dove would do that, especially if they were mates, but the crows? I didn’t realize they would cooperate that way. But it’s possible that as long as hawks are finding food in one area, they’ll just keep hanging around. After that, every bird in the area vanished and was silent for a while.

I’ve read that Red-Shouldered Hawks will team up with crows to drive Red-Tail Hawks out of nesting areas. Then there’s this example of interspecies cooperation — a dolphin rescuing beached whales in New Zealand:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7291501.stm

Reenie — I don’t recommend anyone around here keep pet cats or small dogs outside unattended. Coyotes are the main problem, but I suppose there are other predators that are a danger to them. Our cat Emily had lived out on her own here, and during the summer if we had the windows open and she heard coyotes, she got very nervous. She didn’t even bother trying to get outside very often, and the few times she did she just hung out on the back deck.

Susan — That’s what I decided, the hawks have to eat too. But I’m rooting for those doves.