I have a window above my kitchen sink where I gaze outside several times each day. Watching birds entertains me during kitchen chores, and makes me feel like I am spending time outdoors – which is my favorite place to be.

One warm, sunny day I saw a crow squatting low on a large ant hill, head high, wingtips outstretched and fluttering softly on the ground. I had never seen this behavior before and I wondered if she might be injured. I watched her with concern before she stood up, briefly picked at her feathers, and flew away…

This Field Note was written by Jill Weigel. Would you be interested in writing one? Contact Allison De Jong, Field Notes editor, at adejong [at] montananaturalist [dot] org or 406.327.0405. Please visit the Field Notes website at the Montana Natural History Center for more information.