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| − | [[Image:FishCrow.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Joe Bellantoni<br> | + | [[Image:FishCrow.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by {{user|Joe+Bellantoni|Joe Bellantoni}}<br>Clearwater, [[Florida]], [[USA]]]] |
;[[:Category:Corvus|Corvus]] ossifragus | ;[[:Category:Corvus|Corvus]] ossifragus | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| − | L. 15 in | + | L. 15 in (36 - 41cm)<br /> |
Entirely black plumage with squared-off tail. | Entirely black plumage with squared-off tail. | ||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | This species occurs on the eastern seaboard of the [[United States]] from the state of [[Rhode Island]] south to the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico. Also along the Mississippi and adjoining rivers north to [[Kansas]] and [[Missouri]]. Expanded about 150 miles inland north to central [[New York]] state. | + | This species occurs on the eastern seaboard of the [[United States]] from the state of [[Rhode Island]] south to the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico. Also along the Mississippi and adjoining rivers north to [[Kansas]] and [[Missouri]]. Expanded about 150 miles inland north to central [[New York]] state.<br /> |
| − | + | Common in its range, abundant in [[Florida]]. | |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
The latest genetic testing now seems to indicate that this species is close to both the [[Sinaloa Crow]], (Corvus sinaloae) and the [[Tamaulipas Crow]], (Corvus imparatus) and not as close to the [[American Crow]], (Corvus brachyrhynchos) as outward signs would suggest.<br /> | The latest genetic testing now seems to indicate that this species is close to both the [[Sinaloa Crow]], (Corvus sinaloae) and the [[Tamaulipas Crow]], (Corvus imparatus) and not as close to the [[American Crow]], (Corvus brachyrhynchos) as outward signs would suggest.<br /> | ||
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Follows many river systems inland for quite some distance. Coastal marshes and beaches are frequented, also rivers, inland lakes and marshes, river banks, and the land immediately surrounding all. | Follows many river systems inland for quite some distance. Coastal marshes and beaches are frequented, also rivers, inland lakes and marshes, river banks, and the land immediately surrounding all. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| − | Fish Crows forage in almost all habitats and eat everything from garbage to small animals, seeds, and fruits. Nest in trees most of the time and are quiet and hard to find during the breeding season. | + | Fish Crows forage in almost all habitats and eat everything from garbage to small animals, seeds, and fruits. Nest in trees most of the time and are quiet and hard to find during the breeding season (March to June). Lays 2 - 6 eggs.<br /> |
| − | == | + | Migration poorly understood but seasonal movements to rich feeding locations common. |
| + | ====Vocalisation==== | ||
Has a more nasal call than [[American Crow]] | Has a more nasal call than [[American Crow]] | ||
| − | + | ==References== | |
| + | #{{Ref-Clements6thDec08}}#{{Ref-HBWVol14}} | ||
| + | {{Ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Corvus+ossifragus}} | {{GSearch|Corvus+ossifragus}} | ||
[[Category:Birds]][[Category:Corvus]] | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Corvus]] | ||
Revision as of 13:51, 9 March 2010
- Corvus ossifragus
Identification
L. 15 in (36 - 41cm)
Entirely black plumage with squared-off tail.
Best identified by voice (but beware that American Crows have a begging call in breeding season that is quite similar). Visual differentiation from the American crow is extremely difficult and often innacurrate. Nonetheless, differences apart from size do exist. 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. More dramatically, when calling, fish crows tend to hunch and fluff their throat feathers
Distribution
This species occurs on the eastern seaboard of the United States from the state of Rhode Island south to the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico. Also along the Mississippi and adjoining rivers north to Kansas and Missouri. Expanded about 150 miles inland north to central New York state.
Common in its range, abundant in Florida.
Taxonomy
The latest genetic testing now seems to indicate that this species is close to both the Sinaloa Crow, (Corvus sinaloae) and the Tamaulipas Crow, (Corvus imparatus) and not as close to the American Crow, (Corvus brachyrhynchos) as outward signs would suggest.
This is a monotypic species.
Habitat
Follows many river systems inland for quite some distance. Coastal marshes and beaches are frequented, also rivers, inland lakes and marshes, river banks, and the land immediately surrounding all.
Behaviour
Fish Crows forage in almost all habitats and eat everything from garbage to small animals, seeds, and fruits. Nest in trees most of the time and are quiet and hard to find during the breeding season (March to June). Lays 2 - 6 eggs.
Migration poorly understood but seasonal movements to rich feeding locations common.
Vocalisation
Has a more nasal call than American Crow
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- 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) Fish Crow. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 21 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Fish_Crow
