Types of Crows

Types of Crows: Crows are one of the most widespread and recognizable birds, found across diverse habitats all over the world. Belonging to the genus Corvus, there are approximately 43 different crow species worldwide.

Crows inhabit regions in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and across islands in the Pacific. However, they are not naturally found in the Arctic or Antarctic continents due to the frigid climates and lack of vegetation.

Crows are highly adaptable and intelligent birds that demonstrate complex social behaviors and even tool use. They have adapted to thrive in various environments, from tropical forests to deserts to city streets.

This page provides an overview of the most common types of crows in regions worldwide, except the Arctic and Antarctic. We will explore crows from different habitats worldwide and what makes each species unique.

Types of Crows

Pied Crow

The pied crow is a bird that grabs attention in Africa. With a slick black head and neck paired with a crisp white chest, this bird has a natural tuxedo look that gives it serious style points. It may reach just 46-50 cm in height, but the pied crow struts with oodles of confidence.

Often found chilling near villages and towns across much of Africa, the fun-loving pied crow digs human company. It has no qualms about getting up close with people. Avoid looking for it in deep rainforests though – too muggy for the pied crow’s taste!

When it’s time to eat, the pied crow keeps an open mind – feasting on insects, small reptiles, discarded scraps and grains. It’s an opportunistic eater, snacking on whatever tasty morsels can be found.

With its adaptable nature and outgoing personality, the pint-sized pied crow shows that size doesn’t determine splash. The next time a dark bird prances around an African village, take a second look – it just might be the playful pied crow showing off its signature style!

Common Raven

The common raven is one clever bird. This big, all-black corvid has mastered the art of thriving across the Northern Hemisphere, from frigid tundras to barren deserts. Don’t let its gothic look fool you – this adaptable bird is now making itself right at home in busy cities too.

Ravens gorge on a diverse diet; they’ll snack on everything from juicy fruits to small mammals to creeping insects. And they aren’t quiet about mealtime either, with complex vocalizations mimicking sounds from their environment.

These brainy birds have been captivating humans for centuries with their aerial stunts, problem-solving skills, and even tool use. From folk tales to poetry, the common raven has long symbolized a mix of magic, creation, and mischief.

RAvens form close-knit relationships, choosing one partner for life. Together, the pair perfects gravity-defying spins and rolls high in the skies. When perched on branches, they work together to solve puzzles – a true testament to their intelligence.

So, the next time you hear a raspy “caw” look skyward. It may well be the common raven, performing its aerial artistry and reminding us that brains and beauty can go beak-in-beak. This masterful bird continues to entrance us with its adaptability and craft^[1].

Rook

With its jet-black feathers and distinctive bare white face, the Rook is a remarkable bird hailing from Europe and Asia. These highly social corvids gather in large colonies called rookeries, nesting high in the trees.

Though primarily residents, northern rooks may flock south when winter bites too cold. On chilly days, you can spot these black birds mingling in mixed flocks with their Corvus cousins, warming up together.

Rooks forage on the ground for invertebrates, cereals and other plant materials. Historically seen as crop pests, we now know rooks play an important role in ecosystems.

Beyond their social nature, rooks display some serious brainpower. Captive rooks exhibit complex problem-solving skills, tool use and even teamwork. Their intelligence is matched by their intricate courtship behaviors, with pairs bonding for life.

Next time you spot a flock of black birds congregating in a tree, look for a flash of white face – it’s likely to be the brainy, social rook. Clever and communicative, this bird continues to captivate us with its tight-knit communities and cognitive abilities^[2].

American Crow

With its jet-black plumage and signature “CaaW!” call, the American crow is a familiar sight across North America. As the New World counterpart to the Carrion Crow, this brainy Corvid shares similar habitats and behaviors with its Eurasian cousins.

American crows measure around 40-50 cm long, with nearly half that length coming from their long, graduated tails. Weighing 300-600 grams, males tend to be larger than females. But both sport slick, iridescent black feathers.

A highly adaptable generalist, the American crow thrives equally well in wild forests and bustling cities. Their intelligence is renowned, allowing them to solve problems, use tools, and communicate in complex social groups^[3].

Crows are vulnerable to West Nile virus, making them an important bioindicator for monitoring the disease’s spread. While crows can’t directly transmit the virus to humans, their susceptibility provides an early warning.

Clever, vocal, and opportunistic, American crows have adapted readily to human presence, despite being viewed as pests by some. But behind those black feathers lies an impressive intelligence we are still striving to fully understand.

Fish Crow

Along the eastern and southeastern US coasts, a petite black bird with a distinctive nasal call makes its home. Meet the fish crow, named by Alexander Wilson in 1812 for its fish-heavy diet. Weighing just 247-320 grams, the fish crow is smaller than its familiar cousin, the American crow^[4].

At first glance, the two appear nearly identical with dark, iridescent plumage. But the fish crow’s signature “waw-waw” or “ark-ark-ark” call gives it away. This savvy corvid sticks close to wetlands and coastal areas, unlike the more adaptable American crow.

True to its name, the fish crow enjoys snacking on aquatic fare like crustaceans, fish and eggs. It also feasts on fruits, reptiles, nestlings and even human leftovers. Its diverse, opportunistic diet allows it to thrive near humans.

Interestingly, the fish crow seems more resilient against the West Nile virus compared to other crow species. This resilience, paired with its inquisitive nature, make the pint-sized fish crow a compelling species to study.

Next time you’re near the eastern US coast and hear nasal crow cries, listen closer – it may be the small but savvy fish crow, foraging for its next meal.

Grey Crow

The grey crow, previously known as the bare-faced crow, is about the same 42-45 cm length as its Eurasian relative, the carrion crow. This tropical bird is distinguished by its unique juvenile feather patterns and the large bald patch of pinkish-white facial skin in adults.

The adult grey crow sports an all-black appearance with graduated tail feathers randomly bleached to an ombre effect. But the most distinctive feature is the bare facial skin around the eyes, lacking any feathers^[5].

Juvenile grey crows display pale brown to cream-colored plumage before acquiring the adult pigment. Their eyes shine a bluish-white hue. The bill also varies from partially pinkish-white to completely pinkish-white with a darker tip.

Endemic to New Guinea and nearby islands, the grey crow inhabits lowland and hill forests up to 1350 meters in elevation. Its diverse diet includes small animals and fruits.

With its eccentric mix of black plumage and bare pinkish face, the grey crow exhibits unique adaptations to its tropical island ecosystem.

Hooded Crow

With its dashing grey and black look, the Hooded Crow is a sharp-dressed corvid. This medium-sized bird reaches 48-52 cm tall and inhabits regions from Western Europe to East Asia. It sticks out from its all-black cousin, the Carrion Crow, thanks to its stylish hood^[6].

Beyond looks, the Hooded Crow boasts some serious skills. It thrives in forests, cities, farms – you name it! With a varied diet and top-notch problem-solving intellect, this savvy bird can adapt to any habitat it encounters.

Some populations migrate south for winter, but many tough it out year-round in their home territories. Nesting in trees or on cliffs, both mom and dad Hooded Crow take turns feeding their hungry hatchlings.

While not considered endangered, these clever crows get a bad rap as pests on farms sometimes. But their intelligence and resilience let them succeed across three continents!

So next time you’re traveling in Europe or Asia, keep an eye out for the dashing Hooded Crow putting its resourcefulness on display. With brains, beauty and ambition, this is one bird destined to flourish.

New Caledonian Crow

The New Caledonian crow’s one clever bird. Endemic to the islands of New Caledonia, this tropical corvid is often called the ‘qua-qua’ thanks to its unique vocalization. With its impressive intelligence, the qua-qua continues to captivate researchers worldwide.

The qua-qua’s got a varied diet – it’ll snack on everything from snails to seeds. But it’s the crow’s advanced tool use that really wows scientists. By carefully shaping sticks into hooked tools, the qua-qua can wiggle out tasty grubs from logs^[7]. Now that takes some serious creativity!

Researchers have found the qua-qua can ace complex cognitive tests, even outperforming Chimpanzees at certain problem-solving tasks. Due to its outstanding skills, the New Caledonian crow has become a model species for studying how tool use and intelligence evolve in tandem.

So, if you’re ever in New Caledonia and hear a distinctive “qua-qua” call, look up. You might spot one of the planet’s most ingenious birds hard at work. The qua-qua crow continues to impress with its crafty intellect.

Carrion Crow

The carrion crow is a passerine bird in the Corvidae family and Corvus genus, first described scientifically by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. Native to western Europe and the eastern Palearctic, this glossy black bird has a length of 48-52 cm, 84-100 cm wingspan, and weighs 400-600 grams.

Distinguished by its sheen and stouter beak with bristle-like nostril feathers, the carrion crow can be differentiated from its relative the rook. Juvenile crows display brownish plumage with blue eyes before acquiring adult coloration^[8].

With a diverse diet including carrion, insects, grains, fruits, fish and more, the carrion crow exhibits behavioral adaptability. Their intelligence manifests in abilities like facial recognition, number discrimination, and rule switching.

For nesting, these crows prefer tall trees, cliffs, buildings or pylons. The female incubates 3-4 blue or greenish eggs speckled with brown for 18-20 days.

Known for mobbing predators in groups and aggressively defending resources, the carrion crow continues to thrive across Europe and Asia due to its adaptability, intellect and resourcefulness.

Hawaiian Crow

The Alalā, Hawaii’s endemic crow, once flourished across the islands before vanishing from the wild. With soft, brownish-black plumage and bristly throat feathers, these agile birds resemble carrion crows but boast rounded wings and thicker bills^[9].

Capable of living nearly 30 years, ʻAlalā were right at home in dry, mesic forests on Mauna Loa and Hualālai’s slopes. But after humans introduced diseases like malaria and fowlpox, the crows’ numbers plummeted. These resilient birds played a key ecological role too, dispersing seeds of native plants.

In Hawaiian lore, the Alalā led souls to their final resting place atop the cliffs of Ka Lae. While extinct in the wild now, efforts are underway to reintroduce the culturally vital ʻAlalā to its former island habitats.

Bringing back Hawaii’s endemic crow won’t be easy, but if any bird can make a comeback, it’s the resourceful ʻAlalā. Restoring these vanishing birds would help preserve both ecological balance and cultural heritage.

White-necked Raven

Found in eastern and southern Africa, the white-necked raven exhibits unique traits and behaviors setting it apart from corvid cousins. A touch smaller than the common raven, it boasts a shorter tail and deep bill tipped white. As the name indicates, sharp white neck feathers contrast otherwise black plumage^[10].

Right at home in mountainous regions, the white-necked raven displays resourcefulness using tools. Observations show them dropping tortoises from heights, cracking shells to access the meat inside. In captivity especially, these vocal mimics imitate sounds and voices.

With a varied diet of fruit, grains, insects and carrion, the agile white-necked raven thrives from rocky cliffs to villages near mountain terrain. Females lay 3-5 eggs per clutch, nesting on ledges or trees.

Clever, adaptive and equipped with tool skills, the white-necked raven flourishes across its African range. Studying its abilities provides insights into corvid intelligence.

Australian Raven

The clever Australian raven, reaching 46-53 cm long, inhabits much of southern and northeastern Australia. With its glossy black plumage reflecting striking purple, blue and green iridescence, this corvid certainly stands out. Prominent throat hackles distinguish it from other Australian crows.

Equally at home in open woodlands, transitional zones and urban areas, the adaptable Australian raven thrives in cities like Sydney and Canberra. Omnivorous, it associates with sheep in eastern Australia^[11].

Territorial birds typically bond lifelong with a mate. Breeding July through September, pairs build bowl-shaped nests high in trees.

With its vibrant plumage and resourcefulness in diverse environments, the Australian raven continues flourishing across its native range. Its adaptability and intellect make this iconic Aussie corvid one to admire.

Chihuahuan Raven

The Chihuahuan raven is a savvy corvid species residing in the southwestern United States and Mexico. About the size of a carrion crow at 44-51 cm long, this all-black bird sports a glossy purple-blue sheen when the light hits just right.

Look closely and you’ll notice the Chihuahuan raven’s dark brown eyes and white feather bases, distinguishing features among raven species. It also boasts nasal bristles extending farther down its bill than others in the Corvus genus^[12].

This clever raven inhabits a range spanning Arizona, Texas and northern Mexico. With an varied diet of grains, insects, reptiles and carrion, it flourishes across diverse landsapes.

Nesting in trees, shrubs or old buildings, male and female Chihuahuan ravens share brooding duties. Their vocalizations resemble the common raven’s but at slightly higher pitches. These birds even mimic sounds they hear!

With its resourcefulness across the Southwest, the Chihuahuan raven continues to impress with its adaptability and intellect. This iconic corvid is one savvy bird.

Little Crow

The little crow, scientifically Corvus bennetti, makes its home across western and central Australia. A touch smaller than the Torresian crow at 38-45 cm long, this species reveals white neck and head feathers when winds ruffle its plumage. Like other Aussie crows, its eyes shine white.

Right at home in arid, near-desert habitats, the little crow also frequents small towns and cultivated areas. With an appetite for insects, cereal grains, and seeds, it scavenges less than its Torresian cousin.

Unique among Australia’s corvids, the little crow often nests in loose colonies, building mud-lined stick nests. Its vocalizations range from harsh, raven-like caws to a barking “hark-hark-hark. “

While pint-sized, the savvy little crow exhibits adaptations suiting the dry Australian interior. This plucky corvid continues to thrive, proving you don’t have to be big to be clever^[13].

Thick-billed Raven

Swooping over the Horn of Africa dwells the thick-billed raven, a giant among corvids. Rivaling even the common raven’s size at 64 cm long, this hefty bird weighs over 1 kg, potentially making it the world’s heaviest living passerine^[14].

As the name suggests, the thick-billed raven sports a massive bill – laterally compressed, deeply curved, and 8-9 cm long. The black bill ends in a pale tip. Short neck feathers gleam with an oily brown sheen.

This resourceful corvid inhabits mountains and plateaus of Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia from 1, 500 to 3, 400 meters up. With an appetite for grubs, beetles, carrion and more, the thick-billed raven makes the most of its lofty habitat.

Nesting on cliffs or trees, the thick-billed raven protects its domain with an array of vocalizations, even mimicking sounds it hears.

From its titanic bill to booming voice, the thick-billed raven astonishes with its adaptations to Africa’s highlands. This heavyweight corvid is quite the standout.

Large-billed Crow

The Large-billed Crow is a fascinating bird native to Asia. With its sizable bill, don’t mix it up with a raven. This savvy corvid survives across northeast Asia to Afghanistan, thriving in woodlands, cities, anywhere. The crow’s secret? An adaptable appetite – it eats almost anything, from plants to critters. In towns it brazenly tears into trash and steals wire coat hangers for nest material.

Get this – the species has nine subspecies, each with unique vocal, physical and genetic traits. For nesting, Large-billed Crows like tall conifers like firs or pines. Here they lay 3-5 eggs, incubated around 17-19 days before hatching^[15].

But not all people are fans. Despite its resilience, the Large-billed Crow irks some as a nuisance, disrupting island ecosystems with its varied diet and bold behavior. Its conservation status doesn’t reflect the range of interactions, from admiration to annoyance.

Clever and contentious, the Large-billed Crow continues thriving, flexing survival skills across Asia. This iconic corvid elicits diverse reactions but never fails to fascinate.

Little Raven

The Little Raven, scientifically named Corvus mellori, inhabits southeastern Australia and stands out for its social tendencies. With jet black plumage from beak to tail feathers, this corvid reaches around 48-50 cm in length. Its eyes change color, starting blue-grey in nestlings and becoming white in adults. First identified in 1912, the Little Raven gained distinction as a separate species from the Australian Raven in 1967^[16].

Adapting to various habitats from scrublands to urban areas like Melbourne, these birds often nest in loose colonies, building their stick, bark, grass and wool nests close together. While insects dominate their diet, Little Ravens stay opportunistic, eating anything readily available. They have even been observed utilizing tools during foraging. Despite their resilience across a widespread range, the IUCN Red List classifies them as “Least Concern. ” The Little Raven exemplifies remarkable adaptability and survival skills.

Forest Raven

With its glossy black feathers, the Forest Raven is a breathtaking sight. This clever bird lives mainly in Tasmania and Victoria, making it Australia’s largest raven species^[17].

Don’t let the beauty of this bird fool you though. The Forest Raven has some amazing skills! It can solve problems and even copy sounds it hears, like car alarms or other birds. These abilities show how smart this raven truly is.

Forest Ravens are also very social. You’ll often see them hanging out in pairs or small flocks. They aren’t picky at all about what they eat either. This opportunistic bird will munch on anything from bugs to small mammals to leftover animal carcasses.

In the tall trees, Forest Raven’s parents work together to care for their young. The moms and dads both pitch in to gather food for the babies.

Life isn’t perfect for these birds though. Their habitats are disappearing, and humans sometimes disturb their nesting areas. People are trying to help through conservation, but more efforts are needed.

Next time you’re exploring the woods in Australia and hear a mysterious “caw, ” look up! You might spot one of these awesome Forest Ravens showing off its intelligence and ability to adapt.

Brown-necked Raven

With its distinctive brownish-black head and throat, the Brown-necked Raven earned its name fair and square. This bird measures around 52-56 cm long, making it larger than some raven species but smaller than the common raven. The rest of its feathers are a slick black with glossy hints of purple, blue, or purple-blue.

This opportunistic bird is right at home in desert environments across North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, and parts of southern Iran. But it will also hang out at oases or palm groves when it gets the chance.

When it comes to food, the Brown-necked Raven isn’t picky. It will munch on carrion, snakes, locusts, and even stranded fish near coastlines. These savvy birds are great at working together to hunt lizards too^[18].

For nesting, they build nests like their common raven cousins, typically in trees, cliffs, or old buildings. The moms lay 4-5 eggs that are cared for by both parents. In about 20-22 days the eggs hatch, and by 42-45 days, the babies are ready to fly off on their own.

The Brown-necked Raven’s vocalizations sound similar to the common raven but higher pitched. In captivity, these clever birds can even mimic speech, though it’s not seen as often in the wild.

Despite its ability to thrive across deserts, the Brown-necked Raven is still considered a species of “Least Concern. ” This desert survivor continues to adapt thanks to its opportunistic nature.

Northwestern Crow

Along the Pacific coasts of Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington lives a clever bird – the Northwestern crow. Smaller than its close cousin the American crow, this savvy corvid sticks to the coastal habitats it knows best, from beaches to city streets^[19].

What really sets this bird apart is its taste for seafood. The Northwestern crow is a total marine invertebrate aficionado! It will dig up clams, snap up crabs, and even nab fish right out of the water. But don’t worry, it also chows down on fruits, grains, and our leftovers too.

These resourceful birds are also smart enough to use tools. They’ll grab sticks to poke out food and have even been seen dropping shellfish from up high to crack open the shells. Talk about creativity!

But sadly, the Northwestern crow faces threats from habitat destruction and pollution. Their numbers are declining, causing debate among scientists about their classification as a unique species.

Either way, the Northwestern crow shows amazing intelligence and adaptability. This seafaring, tool-using bird is a true marvel of the avian world along the Pacific Northwest coast.

Cape Crow

Spanning two large regions of Africa lives the unique Cape Crow, also called the Black Crow. One population spread from southern Africa up to Angola and Mozambique, while the other inhabits East Africa from South Sudan to Kenya.

Reaching 48-50 cm long, the Cape Crow sports all black plumage with a subtle glossy purple sheen. Its slender bill is specialized for poking around on the ground and digging up tasty insects.

This crow’s diverse diet includes grains, seeds, bugs, and even small reptiles. It’s known for flipping over mammal poop to find insects and takes down birds up to a pound! For nesting, it picks high tree branches, laying 3-4 eggs that hatch after 18-19 days^[20]. The babies fledge by 38 days old.

Vocally talented, the Cape Crow makes “krrah krrah” and “kah-kah-kah” calls. It also creates bubbling sounds and can mimic noises it hears.

Despite its broad range and ability to thrive, the Cape Crow is still rated “Least Concern. ” This clever bird continues to adapt thanks to its opportunistic insect-hunting skills across Africa.

Collared Crow

In China and northern Vietnam lives a distinctive black crow with striking white markings on its neck, back, and chest – the Collared Crow. About the size of a carrion crow at 52-55 cm long, this crow really stands out with its flashy neckwear. Its vocalizations like loud “kaaar” calls are equally attention-grabbing.

Unlike many crows, this species avoids cities and sticks to rural areas with plains, rivers, and farmland, especially rice paddies. It has an opportunistic appetite, gobbling up bugs, mollusks, grains, and anything else appetizing in its path^[21].

For nesting, the Collared Crow chooses tree branches and uses mud to plaster its home together. The moms lay 3-4 eggs which are cared for until hatching.

But sadly, this unique bird was uplisted to “Vulnerable” status in 2018 after researchers found its population was smaller than expected. The Collared Crow now faces a high risk of extinction in the wild.

With its limited range and declining numbers, more action is needed to protect this creatively-collared crow and its specialized wetland home.

Brown-headed Crow