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Description
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

The American Crow is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America. It is one of several species of corvid which are entirely black in color, though it can be distinguished from the other two such birds in its range - from the Common Raven (C. corax) by size and behavior, and on the East Coast of the United States from the Fish Crow (C. ossifragus) by call.

The American Crow is a distinctive bird with iridescent black feathers all over. Its legs, feet and bill are also black. They are 16-20 inches (about 40-50 cm) in length, of which the tail makes up about 40%. Each wing is around 7-8 in (27-34 cm) long. The bill length is on average 2 in (5 cm), varying strongly according to location. The most usual call is a loud, short, and rapid caah-caah-caah. Usually, the birds thrust their heads up and down as they utter this call. American Crows can also produce a wide variety of sounds and sometimes mimic noises made by other animals, including other birds.

Most wild American Crows live for about 7-8 years. Captive birds are known to have lived up to 30 years.

The American Crow is omnivorous. It will feed on invertebrates of all types, carrion, scraps of human food, seeds, eggs and nestlings, stranded fish on the shore and various grains. American Crows are active hunters and will prey on mice, frogs, and other small animals. The American Crow is one of only a few species of bird that has been observed modifying and using tools to obtain food.

American Crows succumb easily to West Nile virus infection. This was originally a mosquito-borne African virus causing encephalitis in humans and livestock since about 1000 AD, and was accidentally introduced to North America in 1999, apparently by an infected air traveller who got bitten by a mosquito after arrival. It is estimated that the American Crow population has dropped by 45% since 1999; the disease runs most rampant in the subtropical conditions which encourage reproduction of its mosquito vectors among which Culex tarsalis is most significant. Crows cannot transmit the virus to humans directly.

More info: [link]

Description
American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

The American Crow is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America. It is one of several species of corvid which are entirely black in color, though it can be distinguished from the other two such birds in its range - from the Common Raven (C. corax) by size and behavior, and on the East Coast of the United States from the Fish Crow (C. ossifragus) by call.

The American Crow is a distinctive bird with iridescent black feathers all over. Its legs, feet and bill are also black. They are 16-20 inches (about 40-50 cm) in length, of which the tail makes up about 40%. Each wing is around 7-8 in (27-34 cm) long. The bill length is on average 2 in (5 cm), varying strongly according to location. The most usual call is a loud, short, and rapid caah-caah-caah. Usually, the birds thrust their heads up and down as they utter this call. American Crows can also produce a wide variety of sounds and sometimes mimic noises made by other animals, including other birds.

Most wild American Crows live for about 7-8 years. Captive birds are known to have lived up to 30 years.

The American Crow is omnivorous. It will feed on invertebrates of all types, carrion, scraps of human food, seeds, eggs and nestlings, stranded fish on the shore and various grains. American Crows are active hunters and will prey on mice, frogs, and other small animals. The American Crow is one of only a few species of bird that has been observed modifying and using tools to obtain food.

American Crows succumb easily to West Nile virus infection. This was originally a mosquito-borne African virus causing encephalitis in humans and livestock since about 1000 AD, and was accidentally introduced to North America in 1999, apparently by an infected air traveller who got bitten by a mosquito after arrival. It is estimated that the American Crow population has dropped by 45% since 1999; the disease runs most rampant in the subtropical conditions which encourage reproduction of its mosquito vectors among which Culex tarsalis is most significant. Crows cannot transmit the virus to humans directly.

More info: [link]