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American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
FIELD MARKS
Most people are very familiar with the American Crow. It looks very similar
to the Common Raven, but is much smaller and has a slender bill and it's
tail is squared off as opposed to the raven's tail which is rounded. It
is black in colour, with a greenish-blue shine on its back, wings and
tail. Its distinctive "caw" is commonly heard across the province. Approximate
length: 48 cm
FOOD
These omnivores, as most people are aware, will eat a large range of foods.
Although they are very resourceful and intelligent, most people find crows
undesirable because of their eating habits. They can be quite destructive
to crops, especially corn, and often eat the eggs and young of more popular
birds.
HABITAT
This crow, like the others, is highly adaptable to a variety of habitats.
It prefers open areas when looking for food and forested areas when nesting
or resting. Agricultural areas are ideal for crows. They also frequent
town garbage dumps. This is one of the few birds that seems to have benefited
from widespread human land use.
NESTING
The American Crow usually nests in a vertical fork of both coniferous
and deciduous trees. Their nests are made of sturdy sticks lined with
moss, grass, leaves, bark, rootlets, hair or rags. The female lays 4-6
dull blue-green or grayish eggs with brown and gray blotches.
STATUS
Very common and widespread. Its population has probably increased as a result
of human habitation.
DISTRIBUTION
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