Fauna
Bird

Northwestern Crow

Corvus caurinus

Also known as Pacific Crow, Coast Crow

Northwestern crows are highly intelligent coastal songbirds that patrol the beaches, intertidal zones, and forests of the Pacific Northwest. They are slightly smaller than American crows, with a faster, more nasal call and a tendency to forage in tight-knit family groups along the shoreline. These adaptable birds frequently drop hard-shelled mollusks onto rocks from high above to crack them open.

IntelligentCoastalSocial
Northwestern Crow reference
"Northwestern Crow" by quinet is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyShore Crabs, Clams, Marine Worms
Predators
  • Bald Eagle
  • Great Horned Owl
  • Peregrine Falcon
ThreatsWest Nile virus, habitat loss, and human persecution
HabitatsCoastal beaches, intertidal zones, coniferous forests, and urban areas
Life span12 to 17 years
Classification
  1. FamilyCorvidae
  2. SpeciesCorvus caurinus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
May dive-bomb to defend nests during spring; keep a respectful distance from active nests.
Responsible observation
  • Beach foraging: Watch for them dropping clams or crabs onto hard rocks from the air to break the shells.
  • Vocalizations: Distinguish them from American crows by their slightly lower, more nasal, and hoarser call.
  • Nesting safety: Give them space in late spring when parents aggressively defend fledglings on the ground.
Related species
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