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Bird Identification

Jays, Crows & Allies

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American Crow

Corvus brachyrhynchos L 17 ½" (45cm)


play the song/call of the American crow

Photo by Maslowski Wildlife Productions.

The large all-black American crow is the bird recognized by more non-bird watchers than any in North America, a ubiquitous presence in almost every habitat and corner of the continent. Even the most common vocalization, a loud caw caw caw is immediately recognized by almost everyone because it has been part of so many of our stories and legends. Crows have a large vocal repertoire and are capable of mimicking human voices and other animals. Highly adaptable, they can be found in almost every habitat with at least a few trees available. The crow has an adaptable diet, which includes almost everything from garbage scraps to waste grain to fruit to the nestlings and eggs of smaller birds. While they are seen mostly in pairs or alone during the breeding season, they gather in large roosts in winter, some of over 100,000 birds. Noted for mobbing hawks and owls, a flock of crows in pursuit of a raptor can be heard at distances of up to a mile.

Bird song courtesy of Lang Elliott, NatureSound Studio.

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