Alternative names: Common Crow; Eurasian Crow; Oriental Crow (C. c. orientalis)
Photo © by G6 UXU
Entwistle Reservoir, Lancashire, UK, 3 February 2014
- Corvus corone
Photo © by Alok Tewari
Gulmarg, Altitude 2650 meters (8694 feet), Jammu & Kashmir, India, 28 June 2011
Identification
48-54cm. A compact crow:
- All black plumage with a green or purple sheen
- Dark brown iris
- Black, stout bill
- Legs dark grey to black
Sexes similar, juveniles with duller plumage and pink gape when bill open. Hybrids between Carrion Crow and Hooded Crow occur regularly in a narrow band where their ranges meet.
Similar species
May be confused with young Rook. The shape of head and the flight are quite different. Large-billed Crow has steeper forehead, more dome-shaped crown, and more rounded tail.
Distribution
Most of western Europe and a disjunct population (perhaps a separate species) in central and eastern parts of northern Asia.
Common or abundant in most of its range despite persecution by gamekeepers and farmers.
Taxonomy
Was formerly considered conspecific with Hooded Crow, which occupies central Eurasia inbetween the two subspecies of Carrion Crow. Precise relationship between the three taxa not yet settled, and possible that either Hooded may be re-lumped, or C. c. orientalis split as a third full species.
Subspecies
Two subspecies accepted1:
- C. c. corone - Western Europe (except Ireland and north-western Scotland)
- C. c. orientalis - North-eastern Iran to northern China, Korea and Japan
Habitat
Found almost anywhere from coast to moorland, even city centres and intensively farmed land.3
Behaviour
Ingenious adaption to urban environments and intelligent. Can be observed sitting on top of traffic lights and dropping hard-shelled nuts onto the streets below so to make use of the crushing effects of traffic; and will wait to retrieve the contents at a 'red' signal.
Diet
The diet includes carrion, insects, worms, seeds, fruit and scraps.
Has been observed taking a live fish out of the water. Extra pictures and discussion[2].
Breeding
Breeding season generally in northern spring. A pair often stays together over several years and throughout the year. Usually a solitary nester. The large nest is built by both sexes and is made out of sticks. It's usually placed high in a tall tree. Nests on buildings, electricity pylons or cliffs are also known. Lays four eggs. The chicks leave the nest after 32 days.
In some parts of the range Great Spotted Cuckoo may parasitise the nest.
Vocalisation
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Parkin, D. T., Collison, M., Helbig, A., Knox, A. G., & Sangster, G. (2003). The taxonomic status of Carrion and Hooded Crows. British Birds 96 (6): 274–290.
- RSPB
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Carrion Crow. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 20 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Carrion_Crow
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
Threads about taxonomy of Hooded and Carrion Crow:
