I was hanging out on my balcony last evening. It was a beautiful evening, with a clear view of the orange setting sun in the distance.

We are on the 5th floor, and I’m watching the life outside. I spot a couple of very large Grey Crows hanging out on the ground, looking for worms to eat. About a minute later, I see one of these crows sweep from around the Western edge of the building, apparently chasing another smaller bird. At least that’s what I thought at first glance…

But wait… they are nearly on the ground. And the first “bird” is hopping around – and IS on the ground. The crow continued flapping just above the ground by 20 cm. “Holy Cow!” I exclaim to my wife… “look there, it’s a RAT! The bird is chasing a rat!” The crow was chasing the rat around in circles: off the grass and onto the driveway pavement; onto the dirt strip along the side of the road; back across the sidewalk; and then disappeared around the corner of the building.

All the while during the chase, the crow would flap its wings to catch up, and attempt to grab the rat’s body with its claws – while pecking at/around the rats head with its enormous and quite intimidating beak.

I had never seen anything like it. I’m sure it happens everyday, everywhere. But both my wife and I were quite astonished to see a rat hopping around in broad daylight (fleeing for its life, apparently), with a giant menacing bird filling the role as big brown rat predator.

I say… more power to the crow.

“Great big gobs of greasy, grimy gopher guts.” How about a nice, cool drink, varmints? Scum, slime, menace to the golfing industry! You’re a disgrace. You’re varmints. You’re one of the lowest members of the food chain and you’ll probably be replaced by the rat crow.