Carrion Crow
The Carrion Crow is a passerine bird in the crow family Corvidae. The Hooded Crow was formerly regarded as a sub-species but it has now been split off as a separate species
The plumage of the Carrion Crow is black with a green or purple sheen. The bill, legs and feet are also black. It can be distinguished from the Raven by its smaller size (19 to 20 inches in length as compared to an average of 25 inches for the Raven) and from the Hooded Crow by its all black plumage. There is frequent confusion between the Carrion Crow and the Rook, another black corvid species found within its range. The beak of the Carrion Crow is stouter and in consequence it looks shorter and whereas in the adult Rook the nostrils are bare, those of the Carrion 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.
Unlike the Rook which is generally gregarious, the Carrion Crow is usually solitary or seen in breeding pairs. The Carrion Crow is a noisy bird, perching on a vantage point such as a building or the top of a tree and calling 3 or 4 times in quick succession with a slight pause between each series of calls. During each series of calls, the bird may perform an accompanying gesture, bowing its head and neck downwards with each call. The Carrion Crow can become tame near humans and can often be found in or around areas of human activity or habitation where they compete with other social birds such as gulls and ducks for food.
The Carrion Crow breeds in west and central Europe with an allied form or race occurring in east Asia with the closely allied Hooded Crow filling the gap between. Fertile hybrids occur along the boundary between these 2 forms indicating their close genetic relationship. Across its range, it can be seen all year round in a wide range of habitats such as urban areas, farmland, woodlands, mountains, moorlands and seashores.
The Carrion Crow reaches sexual maturity around the age of 3 years for females and 5 years for males and birds often mate for life. The Carrion Crow builds a bulky stick nest which is usually placed in a tall tree although cliff ledges, old buildings and pylons may be used as well. Nests are also occasionally placed on or near the ground. The nest resembles that of the Raven but is less bulky. The female lays 3 to 4 eggs which are incubated for 18 to 20 days by the female alone who is fed by the male. The young fledge after 29 to 30 days. It is not uncommon for offspring from the previous year to stay around and help rear the new hatchlings. Instead of seeking out a mate, these birds look for food and assist the parents in feeding the young.
Although an eater of carrion of all kinds, the Carrion Crow will eat insects, earthworms, grain, fruits, seeds, small mammals, amphibians and scraps and it will also steal eggs of other birds. It is a scavenger by nature which is why it tends to frequent sites inhabited by humans in order to feed on household waste. The Carrion Crow will also harass birds of prey or even Foxes for their kills.
The Carrion Crow has few natural predators although powerful raptors such as the Northern Goshawk, the Peregrine, the Eurasian Eagle Owl and the Golden Eagle will readily hunt them and they can become an important prey item locally.
Date: 12th September 2022
Location: Laindon, Essex
The plumage of the Carrion Crow is black with a green or purple sheen. The bill, legs and feet are also black. It can be distinguished from the Raven by its smaller size (19 to 20 inches in length as compared to an average of 25 inches for the Raven) and from the Hooded Crow by its all black plumage. There is frequent confusion between the Carrion Crow and the Rook, another black corvid species found within its range. The beak of the Carrion Crow is stouter and in consequence it looks shorter and whereas in the adult Rook the nostrils are bare, those of the Carrion 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.
Unlike the Rook which is generally gregarious, the Carrion Crow is usually solitary or seen in breeding pairs. The Carrion Crow is a noisy bird, perching on a vantage point such as a building or the top of a tree and calling 3 or 4 times in quick succession with a slight pause between each series of calls. During each series of calls, the bird may perform an accompanying gesture, bowing its head and neck downwards with each call. The Carrion Crow can become tame near humans and can often be found in or around areas of human activity or habitation where they compete with other social birds such as gulls and ducks for food.
The Carrion Crow breeds in west and central Europe with an allied form or race occurring in east Asia with the closely allied Hooded Crow filling the gap between. Fertile hybrids occur along the boundary between these 2 forms indicating their close genetic relationship. Across its range, it can be seen all year round in a wide range of habitats such as urban areas, farmland, woodlands, mountains, moorlands and seashores.
The Carrion Crow reaches sexual maturity around the age of 3 years for females and 5 years for males and birds often mate for life. The Carrion Crow builds a bulky stick nest which is usually placed in a tall tree although cliff ledges, old buildings and pylons may be used as well. Nests are also occasionally placed on or near the ground. The nest resembles that of the Raven but is less bulky. The female lays 3 to 4 eggs which are incubated for 18 to 20 days by the female alone who is fed by the male. The young fledge after 29 to 30 days. It is not uncommon for offspring from the previous year to stay around and help rear the new hatchlings. Instead of seeking out a mate, these birds look for food and assist the parents in feeding the young.
Although an eater of carrion of all kinds, the Carrion Crow will eat insects, earthworms, grain, fruits, seeds, small mammals, amphibians and scraps and it will also steal eggs of other birds. It is a scavenger by nature which is why it tends to frequent sites inhabited by humans in order to feed on household waste. The Carrion Crow will also harass birds of prey or even Foxes for their kills.
The Carrion Crow has few natural predators although powerful raptors such as the Northern Goshawk, the Peregrine, the Eurasian Eagle Owl and the Golden Eagle will readily hunt them and they can become an important prey item locally.
Date: 12th September 2022
Location: Laindon, Essex
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Also in: Crows
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