How to identify the Carrion Crow

To correctly identify the Carrion Crow (Corvus corone), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

45-51 cm

Wingspan

93-104 cm

Weight

390-600 g

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Entirely glossy black plumage, often with a greenish or purplish sheen visible in good light. The feathers are dense and sleek.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Strong, heavy, and slightly decurved black beak.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown to black

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Black

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   Uniformly black plumage, relatively large head, and a strong, straight-edged bill. Its flight is characterized by steady, powerful wingbeats.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles resemble adults but have duller, less glossy black plumage, often with a brownish tinge. Their eyes are typically blue-grey, gradually changing to dark brown within the first year.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes. The glossiness of the plumage may appear more pronounced during the breeding season due to feather condition.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Minimal to none; males are typically slightly larger than females but are indistinguishable in the field based on plumage or coloration.

Key field marks

• Overall Plumage. Look for entirely glossy black plumage. No grey patches, no bare facial skin.
• Size and Build. A medium-large, robust crow. Larger than a Jackdaw, smaller than a Raven. Proportional head and bill.
• Bill Shape. Strong, heavy, and relatively straight black bill, without the bare grey patch seen on Rooks.
• Tail Shape in Flight. Observe the tail in flight; it is fan-shaped or slightly rounded, not wedge-shaped like a Raven's.
• Vocalization. Listen for the characteristic harsh, guttural 'caw-caw-caw' call, distinct from the deeper 'cronk' of a Raven or the 'chak' of a Jackdaw.
• Behavior. Often seen singly or in pairs, especially during breeding season, contrasting with the large flocks and colonial nesting of Rooks.

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