Why is this crow trying so hard to carry three peanuts when he could easily carry two and come back for the rest?

Last Friday Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s eNewsletter featured this video from Ontario FeederWatch where a crow was tempted by unshelled peanuts.

Though he could easily carry two, the crow spent more than a minute trying to pick up a third.  At 40 seconds into the video he was salivating so much that he “dripped” onto the platform.

Finally he achieved his goal and flew away.  Two seconds later we see why he had to take so many in one trip.  Competition!

Want to see more?

Located in the Thunder Bay District of Ontario, Ontario FeederWatch runs day and night.  In addition to the crow the cam has recorded a flock of pine grosbeaks, a hungry ruffed grouse, and a night time visit from a northern flying squirrel.

Click here to watch the birds at Ontario FeederWatch.

(video from Cornell Lab’s Ontario FeederWatch)

p.s.  The feeders are in Manitouwadge, Ontario, a town so remote that it’s an 11.5 hour drive from Toronto and 8 hours from Duluth.  Click here (and zoom out) to see it on Google maps.