Corvus
brachyrhynchos
(American Crow)
Physical
Description:
17-21" (43-53 cm). Black
overall with stubby bill and legs; tail squared and
slightly fan-shaped.
Similar Species- Northwestern Crow, Common and Chihuahuan ravens
Song:
A
slightly descending caw.
Distribution:
Breeds
across portions of Canada, south to northern Baja California, Texas, Gulf Coast,
and southern Florida. Winters from southern Canada, south throughout breeding
range.
Habitat:
Found in open
and partly- open country (primarily in humid situations), including agricultural
lands, suburban areas, orchards, and tidal flats. Restricted mostly to riparian
forests and adjacent areas
in arid regions. Generally avoids dense coniferous forests and deserts.
Diet:
Eats various small vertebrates,
invertebrates, carrion, grain, and fruits.
Ecology:
Builds cup-shaped
nest in tree, occasionally in shrub. May form small breeding colonies and roost communally in winter.
Forages on ground. May cooperatively forage and cache food.
Reproduction:
Both sexes
incubate 3- 7 eggs (usually 4-6),
for about 18 days. Young are tended by both parents, and first fly at 4-5 wk.
Females produce 1 or 2 broods annually. yearlings may help dominant pair
breed.
Conservation:
Element
Code:
ABPAV10010
Status:
Protected
nongame species
Global
Rank:
G5
State
Rank:
S5
National
Rank:
N5B,N5N
Important
State References:
No references are available at this time.