Black death. Opinion

YOUR letter writer, Ena Willemsen (Crow terror fatal, Coastal Times, September 30) witnessed what was probably a raven attacking ducklings and, sad to say, it may be an increasing occurrence as the diet of these “scavengers of overflowing rubbish bins” adapts.

In recent weeks, I witnessed a pair of ravens attacking a young galah. Despite my rescuing it, the victim died from the injuries sustained – but at least the black death brigade didn’t get a feed from it.

Not so “lucky” was a red wattlebird on my neighbour’s front lawn.

It was pecked to death and then consumed by the ravens – with only scattered feathers as evidence of its temerity to see off the big black intruders.

No wonder the flock is called “a murder of crows” and maybe that is where the term “stone the crows” originated (and why they hung around the Tower of London).

At least your reader can take heart that, this morning, I saw two broods – each of six very healthy ducklings – venturing out onto the estuary from Creery Wetlands (and no need to use a slingshot on any incoming black birds).

ANGELA SMITH, Coodanup.