15-7-2024 BLIJDORP, ROTTERDAM - CARRION CROW (Corvus corone)

The carrion crow (Corvus corone) is a passerine bird of the family Corvidae and the genus Corvus which is native to western Europe and the eastern Palearctic.

The plumage of the carrion crow is black with a green or purple sheen, much greener than the gloss of the rook (Corvus frugilegus). The bill, legs and feet are also black. It can be distinguished from the common raven by its size of around 48–52 centimetres (19–20 in) in length as compared to an average of 63 centimetres (25 inches) for ravens, and from the hooded crow by its black plumage. The carrion crow has a wingspan of 84–100 centimetres (33–39 in) and weighs 400–600 grams (14 oz – 1 lb 5 oz).

Juvenile carrion crows can be identified by their brownish plumage and blue eyes, both of which darken to black and brown as the crow grows older.

The rook is generally gregarious and the crow largely solitary, but rooks occasionally nest in isolated trees, and crows may feed with rooks; moreover, crows are often sociable in winter roosts. The most distinctive feature is the voice. The rook has a high-pitched kaaa, but the crow's guttural, slightly vibrant, deeper croaked kraa is distinct from any note of the rook.

The carrion crow is noisy, perching on a vantage point such as a building or the top of a tree and calling three or four times in quick succession, with a slight pause between each series of croaks. During each series of calls, a crow may perform an accompanying gesture, raising its shoulders and bowing its head and neck downwards with each caw. The wing-beats are slower, more deliberate than those of the rook.

Carrion crows can become tame near humans, and can often be found near areas of human activity or habitation including cities, moors, woodland, sea cliffs and farmland where they compete with other social birds such as gulls, other corvids, and ducks for food in parks and gardens. other species of corvid, carrion crows will actively harass predators and competitors that enter their territory or threaten them or their offspring, and will engage in group mobbing behaviour as a method to defend themselves.

Like all corvids, carrion crows are very intelligent. For example, they can discriminate between numerosities up to 30, flexibly switch between rules, and recognise human and crow faces. Given the difference in brain architecture in crows compared to primates, these abilities suggest that their intelligence is realised as a product of convergent evolution.

19-4-2023 LA YESA, VALENCIA - CARRION CROW (Corvus corone)

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/204496-Corvus-corone

The rook is generally gregarious and the crow largely solitary, but rooks occasionally nest in isolated trees, and crows may feed with rooks; moreover, crows are often sociable in winter roosts. The most distinctive feature is the voice. The rook has a high-pitched kaaa, but the crow's guttural, slightly vibrant, deeper croaked kraa is distinct from any note of the rook.

The carrion crow is noisy, perching on a vantage point such as a building or the top of a tree and calling three or four times in quick succession, with a slight pause between each series of croaks. During each series of calls, a crow may perform an accompanying gesture, raising its shoulders and bowing its head and neck downwards with each caw. The wing-beats are slower, more deliberate than those of the rook.

Carrion crows can become tame near humans, and can often be found near areas of human activity or habitation including cities, moors, woodland, sea cliffs and farmland where they compete with other social birds such as gulls, other corvids, and ducks for food in parks and gardens.

Like other species of corvid, carrion crows will actively harass predators and competitors that enter their territory or threaten them or their offspring, and will engage in group mobbing behaviour as a method to defend themselves.

18-11-2017 HANNINGFIELD RESERVOIR, ESSEX - CARRION CROW (Corvus corone)

The carrion crow (Corvus corone) is a passerine bird of the family Corvidae and the genus Corvus which is native to western Europe and the eastern Palearctic.

The plumage of the Carrion crow is black with a green or purple sheen, much greener than the gloss of the rook. The bill, legs, and feet are also black. There is frequent confusion between the Carrion crow and the rook, another black corvid found within its range. The beak of the crow is stouter and in consequence looks shorter, and whereas in the adult rook the nostrils are bare, those of the crow are covered at all ages with bristle-like feathers. As well as this, the wings of a Carrion crow are proportionally shorter and broader than those of the rook when seen in flight. Juvenile Carrion crows can be identified by their brownish plumage and blue eyes, both of which darken to black and brown as the crow grows older.

Carrion crows are native to western Europe and much of Asia. Birds that live in colder areas may migrate south to spend the winter months. Carrion crows live in a variety of habitats including parks and gardens, cultivated areas, wetlands, forest clearings, woodlands, moors, inshore islands, coastal cliffs, and tidepools.

14-8-2017 AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - CARRION CROW (Corvus corone)

The Carrion Crow, Corvus corone, is a member of the Corvidae family and the genus Corvus. This bird is recognized by its entirely black plumage, which exhibits a green or purple sheen, particularly more vibrant than that of the Rook. The adult male, which can be seen moulting in places like the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, measures approximately 48–52 centimeters in length, with a wingspan ranging from 84 to 100 centimeters, and weighs between 400 and 600 grams. Juveniles display brownish feathers and blue eyes, which darken with age.

To identify the Carrion Crow, look for its black bill, legs, and feet, which complement its dark plumage. It is smaller than the common raven and lacks the grey plumage of the hooded crow. When observing juveniles, note the brownish plumage and blue eyes, which will gradually change as the bird matures.

Carrion Crows are versatile in their choice of habitat. They can be found in urban areas, moorlands, woodlands, sea cliffs, and farmlands. They are often seen in proximity to human activity, where they can scavenge for food.

Native to western Europe and the eastern Palearctic, the Carrion Crow has a range that extends to the mountains and forests of Japan, as well as urban Japanese environments.

The Carrion Crow is known for its solitary nature, in contrast to the gregarious Rook. However, it may socialize in winter roosts or when feeding with other birds. Its distinctive voice, a deep, guttural croak, sets it apart from the high-pitched calls of the Rook. These crows are also known to perform bowing gestures while cawing and can become quite tame around humans.

The Carrion Crow's call is a series of loud croaks, often delivered from a high perch. It may also produce clicking sounds and is known for its slower, more deliberate wing-beats compared to the Rook.

The Carrion Crow builds a bulky stick nest, typically in a tall tree, but also on cliff ledges, old buildings, or pylons. The female incubates 3 to 4 brown-speckled blue or greenish eggs for 18–20 days, and the young fledge after about 29–30 days. It is not uncommon for offspring from previous years to assist in rearing new hatchlings.

The Carrion Crow can be confused with the common raven due to its size and color, but it is notably smaller. The hooded crow, with its grey plumage, is also similar but can be distinguished by its coloration.

An opportunistic feeder, the Carrion Crow's diet includes carrion, insects, earthworms, grain, fruits, seeds, nuts, small mammals, amphibians, fish, and scraps. It is a scavenger by nature and is known to steal eggs and occasionally hunt, sometimes in cooperation with others of its kind.

The Carrion Crow is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that it currently faces no significant threats to its survival on a global scale.

12-8-2017 RUDESHEIM, GERMANY - CARRION CROW (Corvus corone)

The carrion crow (Corvus corone) is a passerine bird of the family Corvidae and the genus Corvus which is native to western Europe and the eastern Palearctic.

The plumage of the Carrion crow is black with a green or purple sheen, much greener than the gloss of the rook. The bill, legs, and feet are also black. There is frequent confusion between the Carrion crow and the rook, another black corvid found within its range. The beak of the crow is stouter and in consequence looks shorter, and whereas in the adult rook the nostrils are bare, those of the crow are covered at all ages with bristle-like feathers. As well as this, the wings of a Carrion crow are proportionally shorter and broader than those of the rook when seen in flight. Juvenile Carrion crows can be identified by their brownish plumage and blue eyes, both of which darken to black and brown as the crow grows older.

29-9-2016 MALDON, ESSEX - CARRION CROW (Corvus corone)

The carrion crow (Corvus corone) is a passerine bird of the family Corvidae and the genus Corvus which is native to western Europe and the eastern Palearctic.

The plumage of the Carrion crow is black with a green or purple sheen, much greener than the gloss of the rook. The bill, legs, and feet are also black. There is frequent confusion between the Carrion crow and the rook, another black corvid found within its range. The beak of the crow is stouter and in consequence looks shorter, and whereas in the adult rook the nostrils are bare, those of the crow are covered at all ages with bristle-like feathers. As well as this, the wings of a Carrion crow are proportionally shorter and broader than those of the rook when seen in flight. Juvenile Carrion crows can be identified by their brownish plumage and blue eyes, both of which darken to black and brown as the crow grows older.

Carrion crows are native to western Europe and much of Asia. Birds that live in colder areas may migrate south to spend the winter months. Carrion crows live in a variety of habitats including parks and gardens, cultivated areas, wetlands, forest clearings, woodlands, moors, inshore islands, coastal cliffs, and tidepools.

Carrion crowns are generally solitary but may feed in groups and are often sociable in winter roosts. They are noisy birds, perching on a vantage point such as a building or the top of a tree and calling three or four times in quick succession, with a slight pause between each series of croaks. During each series of calls, a crow may perform an accompanying gesture, raising its shoulders and bowing its head and neck downwards with each caw. Carrion crows are scavengers by nature, which is why they tend to frequent sites inhabited by humans in order to feed on their household waste. They will also harass birds of prey or even foxes for their kills. Carrion crows actively hunt and occasionally co-operate with other crows to make kills, and are sometimes seen catching ducklings for food. Due to their gregarious lifestyle and defensive abilities, Carrion crows have few natural predators. They will actively harass predators and competitors that enter their territory or threaten them or their offspring and will engage in group mobbing behavior as a method to defend themselves.