American Crow

About

The American Crow is a large, intelligent, and highly adaptable passerine bird native to most of North America. Known for its entirely black plumage, distinctive 'caw-caw' calls, and complex social structures, it thrives in a wide range of habitats, from rural agricultural lands to urban centers. They are opportunistic omnivores and play a significant ecological role as scavengers and predators.

Size & lifespan

Length

40-53 cm (16-21 in)

Wingspan

85-100 cm (33-39 in)

Weight

316-620 g (11.1-21.9 oz)

Lifespan

7-8 years in the wild, up to 20 years or more in captivity

Diet

Omnivore (insects, earthworms, grains, fruits, nuts, carrion, eggs, nestlings, small vertebrates, human refuse)

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Entirely glossy black plumage, including feathers, beak, legs, and eyes. The feathers can show an iridescent purple or blue sheen in good light.

Beak shape

Stout, conical, and slightly decurved black beak.

Eye color

Dark brown to black

Leg color

Black

Distinguishing features

Large size, entirely black plumage, relatively long and strong legs, and a distinctive fan-shaped tail when spread in flight. The tail feathers are all roughly the same length, giving it a squared-off appearance.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles resemble adults but have duller, less glossy black plumage, often with a brownish tinge, and blue eyes that gradually darken to brown. Their gape (corners of the mouth) may also be pinkish or yellowish.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage remains consistently black year-round.

Sexual dimorphism

Minimal to none. Males and females are virtually identical in plumage and size, though males may average slightly larger.

How to identify

1. 1

   Size and Shape

   Look for a large, all-black bird with a stout body and a relatively large head. The tail is typically fan-shaped or squared-off at the end when spread in flight.

2. 2

   Plumage

   Entirely glossy black plumage. In good light, you might see iridescent purplish or bluish sheens on the feathers.

3. 3

   Call

   Listen for the characteristic loud, harsh 'caw-caw-caw'. This is often the most reliable identification feature, especially when distinguishing from Fish Crows or Common Ravens.

4. 4

   Flight Pattern

   Observe its strong, direct flight with steady wingbeats. They often glide for short distances and can be seen soaring.

5. 5

   Behavior

   Look for social behavior, such as foraging in groups, mobbing larger birds of prey, or gathering in large communal roosts. Their intelligence and adaptability are often evident in their interactions with their environment.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Forests (deciduous, coniferous, mixed), woodlands, open country, agricultural fields, suburban areas, urban parks, coastal areas.

Geographic range

Throughout most of North America, from southern Canada across the United States to northern Mexico. Absent from the extreme northern Arctic and some arid southwestern deserts.

Elevation range

Sea level up to approximately 3,000 meters (10,000 feet) in mountainous regions.

Preferred environments

Highly adaptable, preferring open woodlands, forest edges, and areas with a mix of trees for nesting and roosting, and open ground for foraging. They are particularly common in human-modified landscapes.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, active from dawn to dusk.

Feeding habits

Highly opportunistic and adaptable. Forages on the ground, in trees, and in shallow water. Diet includes insects, earthworms, grubs, seeds, grains, fruits, nuts, carrion, eggs and nestlings of other birds, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and human refuse. They are known to cache food.

Social behavior

Highly social birds, often forming large family groups and communal roosts, especially outside the breeding season. They exhibit complex social behaviors, including cooperative breeding, mobbing predators, and sophisticated communication. They are known to hold 'funerals' for deceased crows.

Flight pattern

Strong, direct flight with steady, rhythmic wingbeats. Often glides for short distances. Can be seen soaring on thermals. In flocks, flight can appear coordinated.

Migration pattern

Primarily resident throughout much of its range. Northern populations may undertake short-distance, irruptive migrations south during harsh winters, forming large communal roosts of thousands of individuals.

Territoriality

Breeding pairs are territorial, defending their nest site and immediate foraging area. Outside the breeding season, they are less territorial and form large communal roosts.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Typically March to July, varying geographically. Peak activity in April-May.

Nesting habits

Monogamous pairs, often assisted by offspring from previous years (cooperative breeding). Nests are large, bulky structures made of sticks, twigs, and mud, lined with softer materials like grass, hair, and bark. Built high in trees (coniferous or deciduous), often near the trunk or in a major fork.

Clutch size

3-7 eggs, usually 4-6.

Egg description

3-7 eggs, typically 4-6. Eggs are pale bluish-green to olive-green, heavily marked with brown, olive, or gray spots and blotches, especially at the larger end. Average size is about 4.0 x 2.9 cm.

Incubation period

18-19 days, primarily by the female.

Fledging period

30-35 days after hatching. Young remain dependent on parents and helpers for several weeks to months after fledging.

Parental care

Both parents feed and care for the young. Often, non-breeding adults (usually offspring from previous years) act as 'helpers' at the nest, assisting with feeding and defense of the young.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Listen for Calls. Their distinctive 'caw-caw' is often heard before the bird is seen. Learning to differentiate it from Fish Crow and Raven calls is key.
2. Observe Social Behavior. Crows are highly social. Look for groups foraging, interacting, or mobbing predators like hawks and owls. This behavior can lead you to them.
3. Check Roosts. In fall and winter, locate large communal roosts by observing flight paths of crows heading to a central location around sunset. These can be spectacular to witness.
4. Look for Foraging. Crows frequently forage on the ground in open areas. Scan fields, lawns, and roadsides for their black forms.

Similar species

Quick facts

Intelligence:

Among the most intelligent birds, capable of problem-solving, tool use, and facial recognition.

Social Structure:

Complex family groups, cooperative breeding, and large communal roosts.

Dietary Flexibility:

Highly adaptable omnivores, consuming a vast array of food items.

Vocalization:

Extensive repertoire of calls, not just 'caw-caw', used for various communications.

Conservation:

Common and widespread, thriving in human-altered landscapes.

Fun facts

• American Crows can recognize individual human faces and remember them for years, associating faces with positive or negative experiences.
• They are known to use tools, such as dropping nuts onto roads for cars to crack them open, or using sticks to extract insects.
• Crows often engage in 'anting,' where they allow ants to crawl on their feathers, possibly to remove parasites or for the formic acid's soothing properties.
• They are known to mimic sounds, including other birds, animals, and even human speech, though less frequently than parrots.
• When a crow dies, other crows often gather around the deceased bird, a behavior sometimes referred to as a 'crow funeral,' which is thought to be a way to learn about potential threats.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Passeriformes

Family

Corvidae

Genus

Corvus

Species

Corvus brachyrhynchos

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