The Corvidae family contains the crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, magpies, treepies, choughs and nutcrackers. These species are grouped into subfamilies that are outlined in the table that follows. Beware that names such as jays, magpies, or treepies are not always assigned in a consistant manner. For example, the black magpie (Platysmurus leucopterus) belongs to the treepie subfamily.
| SUBFAMILY | MEMBERS |
| Corvinae | True crows of genus Corvus includes the crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws. |
| Corvinae (continued) | Jays of genus Garrulus, nutcrackers of Nucifraga, magpies of Pica, ground-jays of Jay Podoces, and the piapiac of Ptilostomus, and Stresemann's bush-crow of Zavattariornis. |
| Cissinae | Green-magpies of Cissa and the blue-magpies of Urocissa. |
| Cyanocoracinae | Most of the species that are named "jay". |
| Crypsirininae | Treepies |
| Perisoreinae | Three jay species of Perisoreus and Magpies of Cyanopica |
Corvids are medium to large in size, with strong feet and bills, and a single moult each year (most passerines moult twice). Most species have bristle-like feathers covering their nostrils. They are omnivores having a varied diet of animal and plant material. Makes average slightly heavier than females. Corvids are found worldwide except for the tip of South America and the polar ice caps.
This article describes the species in the Corvus genus which contains the crows, jackdaws, ravens and rooks. Tthe Corvinae subfamily also contains genera Garrulus, Nucifraga, Pica, Podoces, Ptilostomus, and Zavattariornis. These genera will be described in a separate article.
Genus Corvus
The genus Corvus consists of relatively large birds that are are either black all over, or mainly black with white or grey patches. In most species, nasal bristles cover the nostrils. They range in size from the relatively small jackdaws to the very large common raven.
The 40 plus members of this genus occur on all continents except South America and Antarctica.
Crows and the other members of Corvus are among the most intelligent of birds. Some even make and use tools to help gather food. They have even learned how to used drinking fountains, adjusting the flow to be appropriate for drinking or bathing. Most crows are social and will gather in large communal roosts numbering. They make a wide variety of calls or vocalization, presumbably conveying different information in different circumstances.
Intelligence and social structures make most crow species adaptable and opportunistic.
Crows are omnivorous. They often seem to eat whatever is available: - plants or animals, dead or alive. They can be a pest getting into garbage bags and fields of grain. The scarecrow exists because farmers for centuries have consider crow as pests. And yes, they do damage to crops, but they also assist by eating insects and thus also prevent crop damage. It usually takes more than just a scarecrow to deter crows, so guns and poison may be resorted to. The crows intelligence usually prevents decimation of a species.
Many of the crow species described here exist because a wide spread species managed to breed on an isolated location such as an island. The offspring sometimes evolved special characteristics that helped them thrive in that location and they eventually became different enough from their ancestors to be considered to be a new species. However, if the new species has a limited range, that could put it in danger of extinction because of a change in its food supply. Also, if humans modified their enviroment, for exampe by logging, that could be deadly too.
Crow,_American Corvus brachyrhynchos Found: North America
Description: The American crown has all black plumage. The feet and bill are also black. It is 40 to 50 cm long and weighs 300 to 600 grams. Their most usual call is a loud, short, and rapid caaw-caaw-caaw. Both pair build the nest, but only the female incubates the eggs. They are cooperative breeders with the helpers providing some assistance during nest building and providing more help with feeding and also keeping the nest clean.
The northwestern crow was once consider a separate species, but is now considered a subspecies of the American crow. The similar fish crow is smaller than the American crown. It also has a more nasal call and the call is not as repetitive. Fish crows tend to have more slender bills and feet.
Range: North America from northern Mexico to Alaska and Canada.
Habitat: Most places except Pacific rainforest and northern tundra.
Diet: Snakes, frogs, small mammels, eggs, chicks, seeds fruit, and much more. They are famous for their cunning in their ability to obtain human food remains.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) ) Dick - Maine 2, 4) Dick - North Carolina
3) Mdf - Ontario Range: North America from northern Mexico to Alaska and Canada.
Habitat: Most places except Pacific rainforest and northern tundra.
Diet: Snakes, frogs, small mammels, eggs, chicks, seeds fruit, and much more. They are famous for their cunning in their ability to obtain human food remains.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
_RWD.jpg){kind=link}
Crow,_Northwestern Corvus brachyrhynchos caurinus
Description: The northwestern crow was once consider a separate species, but is now considered a subspecies of the American crow. The northwestern crow is smaller than American crow and often has a messier appearance.
Range: Pacific coastal area from Washington to Alaska.
Habitat: Coastal.
Diet: Fish, mollusks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Alan D Wilson 2) Elaine R Wilson - British
Columbia 3) Dick Daniels - Seward, Alaska Range: Pacific coastal area from Washington to Alaska.
Habitat: Coastal.
Diet: Fish, mollusks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Banggai Corvus unicolor
Description: The Banggai crow has black plumage, a black bill and black feet. The iris is pale and the tail is short. It is about 39 cm long and 175 grams.
Range: Banggai Island which is east of Sulawesi. Indonesia
Habitat: Mountain forest above 500 meters.
Diet: Anthropods such as crustacean and insects.
Conservation status: It is listed as Critiaclly Endangered due to habitat reduction via agriculture. The population is about 500.
Image by: 1) Jo_Ibo_LausalaRange: Banggai Island which is east of Sulawesi. Indonesia
Habitat: Mountain forest above 500 meters.
Diet: Anthropods such as crustacean and insects.
Conservation status: It is listed as Critiaclly Endangered due to habitat reduction via agriculture. The population is about 500.
Crow,_Bismarck Corvus insularis
Description: The Bismarck crow has glossy black plumage, a large black bill, black feet, and a relatively short black tail. It is about 40 cm long. The Bismarck crow was formerly considered subspecies of Torresian crow.
Range: Bismarck Archipelago (near New Guinea) .
Habitat: Varied, rarely in dense forest.
Diet: Insects, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
No image available.Range: Bismarck Archipelago (near New Guinea) .
Habitat: Varied, rarely in dense forest.
Diet: Insects, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Bougainville Corvus meeki
Description: The Bougainville crow has black plumage, black feet, and a massive black bill. It is the only species of crow in its range. The Bougainville crow is 41 cm long.
Range: Bougainville in Papua New Guinea and the neighbouring Shortland Islands in the Solomon Islands.
Habitat: Rainforest, forest edge, plantations and gardens.
Diet: Insects, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
No image available.Range: Bougainville in Papua New Guinea and the neighbouring Shortland Islands in the Solomon Islands.
Habitat: Rainforest, forest edge, plantations and gardens.
Diet: Insects, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Brown-headed Corvus fuscicapillus
Description: The brown-headed crow has mainly glossy black plumage. The head and neck are dark brownish-black. The male has a black bill while the female has a reddish-yellow bill. It is 45 cm long. The call is a harsh caw, either in brief, two-syllable utterances or as longer, drawn-out sounds.
Range: Near New Guinea.
Habitat: Moist lowland forests, mangroves.
Diet: Fruit.
Conservation status: The brown-headed crow is listed as Near Threatened because it has a restricted range and an apparent low popupalation.
No image available.Range: Near New Guinea.
Habitat: Moist lowland forests, mangroves.
Diet: Fruit.
Conservation status: The brown-headed crow is listed as Near Threatened because it has a restricted range and an apparent low popupalation.
Crow,_Cape Corvus capensis
Description: The Cape crow, also known as the black crow, has black plumage with a slight purple gloss. The legs and bill are black. For this genus the bill is thin, perhaps to aid it search in the ground for invertebrates. The throat feathers are quite long and may fluff out when calling. It has long wings, tail, and legs. It is 48 to 50 cm long.
Range: Eastern and southern Africa.
Habitat: Open grassland, moorland, agricultural areas with some trees or woodland in the vicinity for nesting.
Diet: Invertebrates, grain and other seeds, bulbs, roots, fruit, frogs, small reptiles.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Dave_Curtis 2, 3) Derek_Keats - South AfricaRange: Eastern and southern Africa.
Habitat: Open grassland, moorland, agricultural areas with some trees or woodland in the vicinity for nesting.
Diet: Invertebrates, grain and other seeds, bulbs, roots, fruit, frogs, small reptiles.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Carrion Corvus corone
Description: The carrion crow has all black plumage. The bill and legs are also black. It is 48 to 52 cm long and weighs 400 to 600 grams. The similar rook has a whitish featherless area on the face, while the carrion crow has an all black head.
The carrion and hooded crows were formerly consider races of the same species. However, they are not similar in appearance as the carrion crow has all black plumagte and the carrion crow has mainly grey plumage.
Range: Western Europe (England, France, Iberian Peninsula), Iran to north China, Korea.
Habitat: Various, likes to have at least a few trees.
Diet: Mainly invertebrates such as worms, Also carrion, frogs, eggs, chicks, seeds.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Richard_Bartz 2) L B Tettenborn - Germany 3) Andreas_Eichler - GermanyRange: Western Europe (England, France, Iberian Peninsula), Iran to north China, Korea.
Habitat: Various, likes to have at least a few trees.
Diet: Mainly invertebrates such as worms, Also carrion, frogs, eggs, chicks, seeds.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Collared Corvus pectoralis also Corvus torquatus
Description: The collared crow has mainly black plumage. It has a white mantle, nape, and breast band. It is 52 to 55 cm long which is slightly larger than the carrion crow. The nest is usually in a tree and is plastered with mud.
Range: China.
Habitat: Areas with scattered trees near water, especially rice fields.
Diet: Insects, invertebrates such as mollusks, grains especially rice, human garbage. Also carrion, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status: It is listed as Vulnerable due to pesticides.
Image by: 1, 2) Charles Lam - Hong Kong 3) Frankie_ChuRange: China.
Habitat: Areas with scattered trees near water, especially rice fields.
Diet: Insects, invertebrates such as mollusks, grains especially rice, human garbage. Also carrion, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status: It is listed as Vulnerable due to pesticides.
Crow,_Cuban Corvus nasicus
Description: The Cuban crow has mainly black plumage, dark grey skin behind eye, black legs, and a black bill. It is 40 to 42 cm long and weighs 325 to 500 grams. The similar palm crow has a typical crow "caw" while the Cuban crow's call is more musical.
Range: Cuba and nearby islands.
Habitat: Substantial tree cover, forest edges, cultivated areas.
Diet: Invertebrates, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Jerry_Oldenettel 2) Francesco_Veronesi 3) Dave_WendelkenRange: Cuba and nearby islands.
Habitat: Substantial tree cover, forest edges, cultivated areas.
Diet: Invertebrates, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Fish Corvus ossifragus
Description: The fish crown has all black plumage. The feet and bill are also black. It is 36 to 40cm long and weighs 200 to 325 grams. It is smaller than the very similar American crow. The America crow does the familiar "caw caw" that we associate with crows while the fish crow is more nasal. Visual differentiaion between the two specie is improbable unless there are close enough to allow comparison. In this case note fish crows tend to have more slender bills and feet. There may also be a small sharp hook at the end of the upper bill. Fish crows also appear as if they have shorter legs when walking.
Range: East and south North America.
Habitat: Coastal marshes and beaches, rivers, inland lakes and marshes, river banks, and the land immediately surrounding.
Diet: Crabs, shrimp, abandoned fish, live fish, eggs, chicks, small reptiles, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Phil Brown - Massachusetts 2) e monk - North Carolina 3) Don_Faulkner - South Carolina 4) Peterwchen - Cape May, NJRange: East and south North America.
Habitat: Coastal marshes and beaches, rivers, inland lakes and marshes, river banks, and the land immediately surrounding.
Diet: Crabs, shrimp, abandoned fish, live fish, eggs, chicks, small reptiles, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Flores Corvus florensis
Description: The Flores crow has mainly black plumage and dark grey skin behind eyes. The feet are black as is the bill which has a dense tuft of feathers at its base. It is a small crow with a length of 40 cm and a weight of 175 grams.
Range: Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia.
Habitat: Primary forests and secondary forests that have enough tall trees.
Diet: Probably invertebrates and fruit.
Conservation status: The Flores crow is listed as Endangered because of deforestation.
Image by: 1) Ron KnightRange: Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia.
Habitat: Primary forests and secondary forests that have enough tall trees.
Diet: Probably invertebrates and fruit.
Conservation status: The Flores crow is listed as Endangered because of deforestation.
Crow,_grey Corvus tristis
Description: The grey crow has black upperparts, grey underparts, and randomly bleached tail and wing feathers. There is bare pinkish-white skin around eyes, bluish-white eyes, bluish upper-mandible, some have pinkish-white lower-mandible, others have pinkish-white bill with black tip.
Range: New Guinea and some offshore islands.
Habitat: Forests, both primary and secondary.
Diet: Fruit, small animals such as frogs, insects, larvae.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by:
1) Jerry Oldenettel - Papua New GuineaRange: New Guinea and some offshore islands.
Habitat: Forests, both primary and secondary.
Diet: Fruit, small animals such as frogs, insects, larvae.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Hawaiian Corvus hawaiiensis
Description: The Hawaiian crow has soft brownish-black plumage, plus long and bristly throat feathers. It has a black bill, legs, and feet. It is 48 to 60 cm long.
Range: Hawaii.
Habitat: It used to be found in forests and woodlands, now there are only captive birds.
Diet: Fruit, invertebrates, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status: The Hawaiian crow is Extinct in the Wild. This extinction was due to shooting and poisoning. Also, habitat degradation has been a problem for the.
Image by: 1) USFWSRange: Hawaii.
Habitat: It used to be found in forests and woodlands, now there are only captive birds.
Diet: Fruit, invertebrates, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status: The Hawaiian crow is Extinct in the Wild. This extinction was due to shooting and poisoning. Also, habitat degradation has been a problem for the.
Crow,_Hooded Corvus cornix
Description: The hooded crow has mainly ashy-grey plumage. It has a black hooded head, throat, wings, and marks on the breast. The bill, eyes, and feet are also black. It is 48 to 52 cm long and weighs 400 to 600 grams. It is usually not a cooperative breeder. The similar house crow does not have a complete hood.
Range: Europe, Asia.
Habitat: Open land with scattered trees. Found inland and coastal areas.
Diet: Mainly invertebrates such as worms, Also carrion, frogs, eggs, chicks, seeds.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Dick Daniels - Scotland 2) Charlie Westerinen - Poland 3) Andreas_Trepte 4) Lip Kee - Egypt Range: Europe, Asia.
Habitat: Open land with scattered trees. Found inland and coastal areas.
Diet: Mainly invertebrates such as worms, Also carrion, frogs, eggs, chicks, seeds.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_House Corvus splendens
Description: The house crow has a black crown, forehead, throat, wings, and tail. It has a grey-brown neck and underparts. It is 40 to 43 cm long and weighs 250 to 375 grams.The similar hooded crow has a complete hood compared to the house crow's partial hood. The house crow has much larger bill than the similar Eurasian jackdaw.
Range: Asia, Africa, Australasia.
Habitat: Near humans in topical and semi-tropical settings.
Diet: Mainly human garbage. Also carrion, crops, small animals, invertebrates
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Benjamint444 - Nepal 2) Darren
Bellerby -
India 3) Anton_Croos - Sri LlankaRange: Asia, Africa, Australasia.
Habitat: Near humans in topical and semi-tropical settings.
Diet: Mainly human garbage. Also carrion, crops, small animals, invertebrates
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1.JPG){kind=link}
Crow,_Jamaican Corvus jamaicensis
Description: The Jamaican crow is a relatively small sized crow with dark grey plumage. The bill is grey and the legs are black. At 35 to 38 cm in length, it is the smallest and dullest Caribbean crown. The iris is either grey-brown or red-brown, possibly depending on age. Legs and feet are black.
Range: Jamaica
Habitat: Hill and mountain forest. It comes down to lower elevations during the dry season where it is more likely to be seen.
Diet: Mainly fruit, also invertebrates and lizards.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Philip Gosse 2) Ron KnightRange: Jamaica
Habitat: Hill and mountain forest. It comes down to lower elevations during the dry season where it is more likely to be seen.
Diet: Mainly fruit, also invertebrates and lizards.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Large-billed Corvus macrorhynchos
Description: The large-billed crow, also known as the jungle crow, has black plumage and a very large bill. It is of variable size (46 to 59 cm and 500 to 1000 grams) - some subspecies larger than the carrion crow, some smaller. It builds a stick and twig nest with the cup-like center lined with soft material. The female does almost all the incubation which lasts about two and a half weeks. The chick fledge after 3 to 4 weeks.
Range: Eastern Asia including Japan.
Habitat: Woodland, parks and gardens, cultivated regions with at least some trees.
Diet: Extremely varied diet - what is available - plants or animials, dead or alive. It can be a pest getting into garbabe bags.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Allan Hopkins- India 2) Sergey Yeliseev 3) Francisco_Restivo - ToykoRange: Eastern Asia including Japan.
Habitat: Woodland, parks and gardens, cultivated regions with at least some trees.
Diet: Extremely varied diet - what is available - plants or animials, dead or alive. It can be a pest getting into garbabe bags.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Little Corvus bennetti
Description: The little crow has black plumage. It has white eyes, small black bill, and black legs. At 45 to 48 cm long, it is not that little, but it is slightly smaller than the similar Torresian crow. Also, the Torresian crow's head is darker than its body while the little crow's head and body about the same darkness.
Range: Western and central Australia.
Habitat: Avoids tropical wetland. Prefers dry areas.
Diet: Insects, cereals and other seeds. It is less of a scavenger than the Torresian crow.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Keith Edkins 2) Ron_n_Beth_Pixs Range: Western and central Australia.
Habitat: Avoids tropical wetland. Prefers dry areas.
Diet: Insects, cereals and other seeds. It is less of a scavenger than the Torresian crow.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Long-billed Corvus validus
Description: The long-billed crow has glossy black plumage, lt has long black bill, black legs, and white iris. The only other crow within its range is the Torresian crow which has a much smaller beak and a head that is darker than its body.
Range: Maluku Islands of Indonesia .
Habitat: Primary and secondary forests, coconut plantations.
Diet: Information needed.
Conservation status: The long-billed crow is listed as Near Threatened because of its restricted range and there is logging in that range. That said, the population may still be substantial.
Image by: 1) Paulo Alves Range: Maluku Islands of Indonesia .
Habitat: Primary and secondary forests, coconut plantations.
Diet: Information needed.
Conservation status: The long-billed crow is listed as Near Threatened because of its restricted range and there is logging in that range. That said, the population may still be substantial.
Crow,_Mariana Corvus kubaryi
Description: The Mariana crow has mainly greenish-black glossy upperparts, bluish-black glossy tail, and dull underpaqrts. It is a small crow, only 38 cm long.
Range: Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, and vicinity.
Habitat: Primary and secondary forests as well as coastal strand vegetation. However, it only nests in a few species of tall trees that emerge from the canopy.
Diet: Insects, lizards, other birds' eggs, hermit crabs, fruits, and seeds.
Conservation status: It is Critically Endangered because of loss of habitat and also from predators such as the brown tree snake.
Image by: 1) USGSRange: Northern Marianas Islands, Guam, and vicinity.
Habitat: Primary and secondary forests as well as coastal strand vegetation. However, it only nests in a few species of tall trees that emerge from the canopy.
Diet: Insects, lizards, other birds' eggs, hermit crabs, fruits, and seeds.
Conservation status: It is Critically Endangered because of loss of habitat and also from predators such as the brown tree snake.
Crow,_New Caldonian Corvus moneduloides
Description: The New Caldonian Crown has glossy black plumage, black bill, legs, and feet. It makes a qua-qua sound. It is 40 to 43 cm long, 225 to 350 grams, with the male larger than the female.
Range: New Caldonia (islands east of Australia).
Habitat: A generalist, found in forests to savannas.
Diet: A wide range of food, including many types of invertebrates, eggs, nestlings, small mammals, snails, nuts and seeds. It has been known to capture grubs by using a twig, that is by using a tool!
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Natalie Uomini 2) Natalie Uomini 3) jean-paul_beaudeauRange: New Caldonia (islands east of Australia).
Habitat: A generalist, found in forests to savannas.
Diet: A wide range of food, including many types of invertebrates, eggs, nestlings, small mammals, snails, nuts and seeds. It has been known to capture grubs by using a twig, that is by using a tool!
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1) Juvenile
Crow,_Palm Corvus palmarum
Description: The palm crow is a relatively small black crow, similar to a minature raven. Unlike a raven with its white eyes, the palm crow was brown eyes. It has a simple and repetitive call cao. The palm crow is 34 to 38 cm long. The mostly source of confusion in identifying this crow would be the white-necked crow of Hispaniola which has orange-red or yellow eyes instead of the palm crow's brown eyes.
Range: Cuba (rare), Hispaniola. On Cuba
Habitat: Pine forests, mixed pine forests, scrub, corn fields.
Diet: Invertebrates such as beetles and caterpillars, lizards, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Pied Corvus albus
Description: The Pied crown has mainly black plumage, a black bill, and black legs. The shouders and breast are white. It is about 45 cm long.
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa.
Habitat: Mainly open country with villages and towns nearby.
Diet: Insects, reptiles, small mammals, eggs, chicks, grain, peanuts, carrion, fruit, human garbage.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Frank_Vassen - Namiba 2) Dick - Madagascar 3, 4) Dick - Tanzania Range: Sub-Saharan Africa.
Habitat: Mainly open country with villages and towns nearby.
Diet: Insects, reptiles, small mammals, eggs, chicks, grain, peanuts, carrion, fruit, human garbage.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
_RWD.jpg){kind=link}
Crow,_Piping Corvus typicus
Description: The piping crow has black upperparts, head and throat. The rest of the plumage is white. It has a black bill and legs. The piping crow is about 37 cm long and 175 grams.
Range: Sulawesi (Indonesia).
Habitat: Subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.
Diet: Pnsects, larvae, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by:
1) Black Crow 2) Francesco Veronesi Range: Sulawesi (Indonesia).
Habitat: Subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.
Diet: Pnsects, larvae, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Sinaloa Corvus sinaloae
Description: The Sinaloa crow has glossy purple-black plumage with a black bill and legs. The throat is pale. The Sinaloa crow is 34 to 38 cm long. The similar Tamaulipas crow has a black throat. Also, their ranges do not overlap.
Range: Western Mexico.
Habitat: Coastal regions where it forages on the seashore, semi-desert, open woodlands, river banks.
Diet: Insects, crabs, fruit. Also, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Dominic Sherony 2) Jorge_MontejoRange: Western Mexico.
Habitat: Coastal regions where it forages on the seashore, semi-desert, open woodlands, river banks.
Diet: Insects, crabs, fruit. Also, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Slender-billed Corvus enca
Description: The slender-billed crown has black plumage. The upperparts are glossed and the underparts are dull. It has a relatively slender black bill, and black legs. It is 42 to 47 cm long and about 250 grams. The similar large-billed crow is considerably larger and a proportionatly thicker bill.
Range: Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Habitat: Near primary and secondary evergreen forests; especially forest edges, clearings, and villages.
Diet: Fruit, insects, beetles, lizards.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1Image by:
1) Black Crow 2) AS Kono - North Sulawesi 3) David_Meade - Sulawesi 4) Ariefrahman - SulawesiRange: Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Habitat: Near primary and secondary evergreen forests; especially forest edges, clearings, and villages.
Diet: Fruit, insects, beetles, lizards.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
_on_red_cotton_tree_(Bombax_ceiba)_Buton_Island_Indonesia.jpg){kind=link}
Crow,_Somali Corvus edithae
Description: The Somali crow, also known as the dwarf raven, has brownish black plumage. It has a heafty raven-like black bill. The feet are also black. It is 44 to 46 cm long and about 450 grams in weight. The nest is a raven-like bulky structure set in either a lone tree or on telegraph poles. The Somali crow is considerably smaller than the brown-necked raven. They can be differentiated by voice.
Range: East Africa.
Habitat: Open areas: deserts to dry savanna.
Diet: Insects, reptiles, small mammals, eggs, chicks, grain, carrion, fruit, human garbage.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1, 2) Sergey Yeliseev - Ethiopia 3) Nik_Borrow - EthiopiaRange: East Africa.
Habitat: Open areas: deserts to dry savanna.
Diet: Insects, reptiles, small mammals, eggs, chicks, grain, carrion, fruit, human garbage.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Tamaulipas Corvus imparatus
Description: The Tamaulipas crow has glossy dark, bluish plumage, which appears soft and silky. The bill is quite slender and black. The legs and feet are also black. It is a small crow: 34 ti 38 cm long. It is similar to the Sinaloa crow. The Sinaloa crow has a pale throat, while the Tamaulipas crow has a black throat. Their ranges do not overlap.
Range: Northeast Mexico; also southern Texas.
Habitat: Dry country, near human settlements, garbage dumps.
Diet: Insects, seeds, fruit, carrion, garbage, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Steve nova 2) Jerry Oldenettel - Texas 3) Howard_Patterson - TexasRange: Northeast Mexico; also southern Texas.
Habitat: Dry country, near human settlements, garbage dumps.
Diet: Insects, seeds, fruit, carrion, garbage, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_Torresian Corvus orru
Description: The Torresian crow has glossy black upperparts, a black head, and dull black underparts, The eyes are white, the bill and legs are black. White may be seen at the base of the head and neck when ruffled by the wind. It is a large crow with a length of 49 to 53 cm and weight of 450 to 700 grams. The similar little crow is slightly smaller and has a slightly smaller bill than Torresian crow. The Torresian crow's head is darker than body, while the little crow's head and body are about the same darkness. Despite their visual similarities, the Australian raven and Torresian crow have very different calls.
Range: Mainly Australia, also New Guinea.
Habitat: Almost any habitat within its geographic range where there is a permanent source of water.
Diet: Invertebrates, fruit, carrion, small birds and rodents. Even eats the poisonous cane toad by feeding on just the intestines and part of the thighs of the toad, thus avoiding the poison.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Richard McDonald 2) Lip Kee - Northern Territory 3) Dave Curtis - Brisbane 4) Charlie Westerinen - Nossa Heads, Australia Range: Mainly Australia, also New Guinea.
Habitat: Almost any habitat within its geographic range where there is a permanent source of water.
Diet: Invertebrates, fruit, carrion, small birds and rodents. Even eats the poisonous cane toad by feeding on just the intestines and part of the thighs of the toad, thus avoiding the poison.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1) Bird on left has white visible on its neck.
Crow,_White-billed Corvus woodfordi
Description: The white-billed crow, also known as Guadalcanal crow, has an ivory colored bill with black tip, mainly glossy black plumage, and a darker head with greenish-purple gloss. The tail is short and squared off plus the head is relatively large. It is 40 to 41 cm long and about 500 grams.
Range: Solomon Islands (east of New Guinea).
Habitat: Mainly rainforest; also forest edges and clearings.
Diet: Insects, fruit. It is usually hidden in the foest canopy.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) William HartRange: Solomon Islands (east of New Guinea).
Habitat: Mainly rainforest; also forest edges and clearings.
Diet: Insects, fruit. It is usually hidden in the foest canopy.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Crow,_White-necked Corvus leucognaphalus
Description: The white-necked crow has all black plumage, orange-red eyes. The white base of the neck feathers is rarely visible. The white-necked crow is 42 to 46 cm long which makes it the largest Caribbean crow. It is similar to the smaller palm crow.
The orange-red eyes of white-necked crow is the easiest way to identify it. It also has many diffeerent vocalizaitons, compared to the palm crow's simple coa.
Range: Hispaniola.
Habitat: Mature forests. Also cactus swamps and mangroves.
Diet: Fruit, insects, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status:The white-necked crow is listed as Vulnerable because of declining population due to logging and hunting. Also, it has a restricted ranged.
Image by: 1) ZankaM - Dominican Republic 2, 3) Ron Knight - Dominican RepublicRange: Hispaniola.
Habitat: Mature forests. Also cactus swamps and mangroves.
Diet: Fruit, insects, eggs, chicks.
Conservation status:The white-necked crow is listed as Vulnerable because of declining population due to logging and hunting. Also, it has a restricted ranged.
Jackdaw, Daurian Corvus dauuricus
Description: Most Daurian jackdaws have large areas of creamy white on the nape and breast with the rest of the plumage black. A dark morph has much of the creamy white replaced with black. For either case the bill, eyes, and feet are black. The black eyes differentiate this jackdaw from the Eurasian jackday which has pale eyes.
Range: Eastern Asia.
Habitat: Open country with some trees available.
Diet: Mainly grain, seeds, and berries. During breeding season, caterpillars, grasshoppers, ant, flies.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by:
1) Dave_Curtis - Sichuan China 2) Sergey Yeliseev 3) Hiyashi_Halso known asRange: Eastern Asia.
Habitat: Open country with some trees available.
Diet: Mainly grain, seeds, and berries. During breeding season, caterpillars, grasshoppers, ant, flies.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Jackdaw, Eurasian Corvus monedula
Description: The Eurasian jackdaw, also known as the jackdaw, has a black center of head, throat, and wings. It has a grey nape, back, and underparts. The eyes are light grey, the pointed bill is grey, and legs are black. It 34 to 39 cm long. The similar Daurian jackdaw has dark eyes. The house crow has much a larger bill with a round end.
Range: Europe, western Asia, northern Africa.
Habitat: Open country with some trees available.
Diet: Mainly grain, seeds, and berries. During breeding season, caterpillars, grasshoppers, ant, flies, eggs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Placid Casual 2) MatthiasKabel 3) Dick Daniels - Scotland 4) Agustin_Povedano Range: Europe, western Asia, northern Africa.
Habitat: Open country with some trees available.
Diet: Mainly grain, seeds, and berries. During breeding season, caterpillars, grasshoppers, ant, flies, eggs.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
RAVENS
The ravens ares larger-bodied members of the genus Corvus. Most have black plumage and large beaks but their plumage can differ slightly in some species. Most species have dark brown irises but a few in Australia have white irises.
Raven,_Australian Corvus coronoides Found: Australia
Description: The Australian Raven has glossly black plumage with a blue-purple to blue-green sheen depending on the light. It has black feet and a bill. There is thick black plumage onits throatwhich resembles a beard. These hackles are longer for the Australian raven than for other Australian corvids. The adult has white eyes while the juvenile has black eyes. It is 48 to 54 cm long and weighs 500 to 800 grams. The little raven used to be conspecific with the Australian raven. Their appearance including size are very similar plus their ranges overlap. However, if the raven is in southwestern Australia, e.g. Perth, then it is an Australian raven.
Range: Southwestern and eastern Australia.
Habitat: Trees for perching. Where its range overlaps with the little raven, the Australian raven chooses more wooded areas.
Diet: Mainly invertebrates, eggs, chicks, carrion. Also seeds, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Jean_and_Fred - Perth 2) Dick Daniels - Australia 3) Brett_DonaldRange: Southwestern and eastern Australia.
Habitat: Trees for perching. Where its range overlaps with the little raven, the Australian raven chooses more wooded areas.
Diet: Mainly invertebrates, eggs, chicks, carrion. Also seeds, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Raven,_Brown-necked Corvus ruficollis
Description: The brown-necked Raven has a brownish-black head and neck. The rest of the plumage is glossy black with purplish-blue gloss. The black feathers may fade to brown as molting approaches. It is 52 to 56 cm long and weighs 500 to 650 grams. It is similar to the Somali crow. The brown-necked Raven is larger than the Somali cro. and theyalso can be differentiated by voice.
Range: North Africa, southwest Asia.
Habitat: Predominantly desert environment visiting oases and palm groves.
Diet: Carrion, snakes, grasshoppers, stranded fish, grain, dates, fruits.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Francesco_Veronesi - Morocco 2, 3) Yip Kee - Egypt 4) Marcel HolyoakRange: North Africa, southwest Asia.
Habitat: Predominantly desert environment visiting oases and palm groves.
Diet: Carrion, snakes, grasshoppers, stranded fish, grain, dates, fruits.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
.jpg){kind=link}
Raven,_Chihuahuan Corvus cryptoleucus
Description: The Chihuahuan raven has black plumage with a purple gloss. At 44 to 51 cm it is one of the smallest ravens. The Chihuahuan raven is considerably smaller than the common raven, has longer bristles along the upper bill, and has a shorter bill.
Range: Southwest USA, Mexica.
Habitat: Grasslands with scattered trees.
Diet: Grains, insects and many other invertebrates, small reptiles, carrion, cactus fruits, eggs and nestlings.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by:1) Tony_Morris 2, 3) Quinn Dombrowski - Arizona 4) Jerry Oldenettel - ArizonaRange: Southwest USA, Mexica.
Habitat: Grasslands with scattered trees.
Diet: Grains, insects and many other invertebrates, small reptiles, carrion, cactus fruits, eggs and nestlings.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Raven,_Common Corvus corax
Description: The common raven has all black plumage, a heavy black bill, and grey to black legs. Apart from its greater size, the common raven differs from its cousins, the crows, by having a larger and heavier bill, shaggy feathers around the throat and above the beak, and a wedge-shaped tail. It one of the largest corvids with a length of 58 to 69 cm and weighs between 700 and 1600 grams. The similar Chihuahuan raven is considerably smaller than the common raven, has longer bristles along the upper bill, and has a shorter bill. The rook has grey at base of bill, while the common raven has completly black bill.
Range: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa. It is the most widly distributed corvid.
Habitat: Prefer wooded areas with large expanses of open land nearby, or coastal regions for their nesting sites and feeding grounds.
Diet: Varies widely with location, season, and available food supply. Food includes rodents, carrion, eggs, chicks, amphibians, reptiles, garbage, grains, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Dick Daniels - Arizona 2) Dick - Wyoming 3) Dick - Napel 4) Jan_Svetlik Range: North America, Europe, Asia, Africa. It is the most widly distributed corvid.
Habitat: Prefer wooded areas with large expanses of open land nearby, or coastal regions for their nesting sites and feeding grounds.
Diet: Varies widely with location, season, and available food supply. Food includes rodents, carrion, eggs, chicks, amphibians, reptiles, garbage, grains, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Raven,_Fan-tailed Corvus rhipidurus
Description: The fan-tailed raven has black plumage, bill, legs, and feet. The plumage has a purplish-blue gloss in good light. The base of upper neck feathers are white, but only seen in windy conditions. The throat hackles are shorter than in most other ravens. It is about 46 cm long and 600 grams which makes it one of the smallest ravens. The fan-shaped tail is especially short.
Range: Southwest Asia, central and eastern Africa.
Habitat: Desert or open dry country that includes crags for nesting.
Diet: Invertebrates such as insects, grain, carrion, garbage, fruit. It is one of the most aerial of ravens traveling huge distances in search of food, its large wings being adapted to gliding on thermals,
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Francesco_Veronesi - Kenya 2) Charles_J_Sharp - Ethiopia 3) Lip_Kee - EthiopiaRange: Southwest Asia, central and eastern Africa.
Habitat: Desert or open dry country that includes crags for nesting.
Diet: Invertebrates such as insects, grain, carrion, garbage, fruit. It is one of the most aerial of ravens traveling huge distances in search of food, its large wings being adapted to gliding on thermals,
Conservation status: Least Concern.
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
Raven,_Forest Corvus tasmanicus
Description: The forest raven has glossy black plumage with a blue or green sheen to the upperparts. It has a black bill and black feet. It is one of two ravens with white eyes, the other is the little raven of southern Australia. It is the only Corvus in Tasmania. This is the largest of Australian corvids with a length of 50 to 53 cm and a weight of about 650 grams. It is a solitary nester. Eggs are incubated by the female for about 3 weeks and they fledge after about 4 weeks. The call is considered the most reliable means of identification in areas where the forest raven's range overlaps with other corvids. Forest ravens generally nest in forks in tall trees, usually eucalypts, The nest is a bowl-shaped structure of twigs lined with available materials such as leaves, wool, grass, bark, feathers, Incubations is done soley by the female.
Range: Southeatern Australia, Tasmania
Habitat: A wide variety of habitats in Tasmania but is restricted to more closed forest on mainland Australia.
Diet: Mainly meat such as insects, carrion, worms, eggs, chicks, crabs. Also grains, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) JJ Harrison 2) Ron Knight 3) Nik_Borrow - TasmaniaRange: Southeatern Australia, Tasmania
Habitat: A wide variety of habitats in Tasmania but is restricted to more closed forest on mainland Australia.
Diet: Mainly meat such as insects, carrion, worms, eggs, chicks, crabs. Also grains, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Raven,_Little Corvus mellori
Description: The little raven has glossy black plumage, a black bill, black legs, and white eyes. It is 48 to 50 cm long The little raven used to be conspecific with the Australian raven. Their appearance including size are very similar plus their ranges overlap. However, if the raven is in southwestern Australia, e.g. Perth, then it is an Australian raven. In Melbourne the little rven is much more prevelant.
Range: Southeastern Australia.
Habitat: Varied habitat, but not dense forests.
Diet: Insects, carrion, eggs, chicks, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Toby Hudson 2) David Jenkins 3) Kym_FarnikRange: Southeastern Australia.
Habitat: Varied habitat, but not dense forests.
Diet: Insects, carrion, eggs, chicks, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Raven,_Thick-billed Corvus crassirostris
Description: The thick-billed raven has mainly black plumage,a large thick black bill with white tip, and a white patch on the rear of neck. The eyes are dar brown and the legs are black. It is 60 to 70 cm long which maes it one of the largest corvids. The similar white-necked raven is smaller nad its white patch on the neck.
Range: Ethiopia, Eritrea, and nearby countries in northeast Africa
Habitat: Hilly and mountainous areas, .
Diet: Grubs, locusts, beetle larvae from animal dung, carrion, scraps of meat and human food.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Ondrej Zvacek 2) Donald_Macauley - Ethiopia 3) Lip_KeyRange: Ethiopia, Eritrea, and nearby countries in northeast Africa
Habitat: Hilly and mountainous areas, .
Diet: Grubs, locusts, beetle larvae from animal dung, carrion, scraps of meat and human food.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
1) Pair
Raven,_White-necked Corvus albicollis
Description: The white-necked raven is predominantly black. It has a white semi-collar on the back of its neck and its black bill has a white tip. It is 50 to 54 cm long. The similar thick-billed raven is larger and its white patch is on the back of its head instead of on the neck. Its range is to the north with some overlap. The pied crow has much more white than White-necked Raven.
Range: Eastern and southern Africa
Habitat: Open, mountainous country. It is quite commonly found in small towns and villages as long as there are mountains or hills for roosting and nesting relatively nearby.
Diet: Grubs, locusts, beetle, lizards, small animals, small birds, eggs, corn, peanuts, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1) Masa_Salso known asno - Tanzania 2) Greg Hume - Cincinnati Zoo 3) David
Schenfeld - Rwanda 4) Cristiano Crolle - South AfricaRange: Eastern and southern Africa
Habitat: Open, mountainous country. It is quite commonly found in small towns and villages as long as there are mountains or hills for roosting and nesting relatively nearby.
Diet: Grubs, locusts, beetle, lizards, small animals, small birds, eggs, corn, peanuts, fruit.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Rook Corvus frugilegus
Description: The rook has black plumage which may havea blue to purple sheen in the sunlight. It has a large, pointed bill with bare grey-white skin around its base and near the eyes. The similar common raven has a completly black bill.
Range: Europe, Asia, New Zealand (introduced) .
Habitat: Generally lowland birds, with most rookeries found below 120 m. They are comfortable in more open areas than the common raven, as long as there are a few tall trees.
Diet: Manily plant material such as cereals, potatoes, roots, fruit, acorns, berries and seeds. Also beetles, spiders, millipedes, slugs, snails, small mammals, eggs, chicks, small birds.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
Image by: 1)Dick - Scotland 2) Dick - Scotland 3) Jan_SvetlikRange: Europe, Asia, New Zealand (introduced) .
Habitat: Generally lowland birds, with most rookeries found below 120 m. They are comfortable in more open areas than the common raven, as long as there are a few tall trees.
Diet: Manily plant material such as cereals, potatoes, roots, fruit, acorns, berries and seeds. Also beetles, spiders, millipedes, slugs, snails, small mammals, eggs, chicks, small birds.
Conservation status: Least Concern.
