Species · GBIF taxon 2482507
Corvus brachyrhynchos
corvus brachyrhynchosAlso known as Common Crow
American crows are highly social and remarkably intelligent songbirds, famous for their complex family structures and ability to recognize individual human faces. They gather in massive winter roosts that can number in the tens of thousands, filling the evening sky with coordinated flights and loud, rhythmic cawing. These adaptable birds thrive alongside human development, using their powerful, all-purpose beaks to exploit a vast array of food sources.
IntelligentSocialAdaptable
Licensed referenceWikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Omnivorous (seeds, fruits, nuts, insects, small animals, carrion, and human scraps)
- family
- Corvidae
- threats
- West Nile virus, pesticide exposure, and human persecution
- life Span
- 7 to 15 years in the wild
LC
Safe to observe at a distance; cornered or injured birds may deliver a painful pinch.
- Recognize their calls: Learn to distinguish their classic 'caw-caw' contact call from their rattled alarm calls.
- Offer healthy treats: If you want to attract them, offer unsalted peanuts in the shell or dry dog food.
- Watch for sentinel behavior: Look for a single crow perched high on a branch keeping watch while others feed on the ground.