American Crow - Photos by Bruce Dayton - American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Corvidae (Crows, Magpies, Jays - 18 Species)
SPECIES: American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

American Crow
American Crows congregate in large numbers (from a few hundred to several thousand) in winter to sleep in communal roosts. A fairly new phenomenon is the the roosting in urban areas where their noise and mess cause havoc with the residents.
SIZE	The American Crow is a large (17-21") member of the Corvidae family. Its size in the family is only surpassed by the "Common Raven" and the "Black-billed Magpie"
DESCRIPTION	The American Crow is a stocky black bird with stout bill and fan-shaped tail. It is a common bird that is easily recognized. Its legs, feet and bill are also black. The sexes are similar in appearance, though the male is somewhat larger.
NESTING	Clutch size ranges from 3-6 eggs, which are incubated in 17 to 20 days. They build bulky stick nests, nearly always in trees. They will nest in a wide variety of trees, including large conifers, although oaks are most often used.
RANGE	The range of the American Crow extends from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean in Canada, south through the United States and into northern Mexico. The crow is generally a permanent resident, but many birds in the northern parts of the range migrate short distances southward.
HABITAT	They habitat virtually all types of country from wilderness, farmland, parks, open woodland to towns and major cities.
DIET	The American Crow is omnivorous. It will feed on invertebrates of all types, carrion, scraps of human food, seeds, eggs and nestlings, stranded fish on the shore and various grains (corn and wheat are a favorite food). They also mice, frogs, and other small animals. In winter and autumn, they are more dependent on nuts and acorns.
SPECIAL	Most crows will scavenge at rubbish dumps and garbage bags left on the street, scattering garbage in the process. These habits have caused the American Crow to be considered a nuisance. However, it is suspected that the harm to crops is offset by the service the American Crow provides by eating insect pests

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.




American Crow

Groton Township Tompkins County, New York


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Brown Thrasher Drawing by Louis Agassiz Fuertes