Cape crow facts for kids
The Cape crow or black crow (Corvus capensis) is a fascinating bird found in parts of Africa. It's a bit bigger than a carrion crow, measuring about 48 to 50 centimeters long. This crow is completely black, but its feathers have a cool, shiny purple tint. It has longer legs, wings, and tail compared to some other crows. Its most unique feature is its long, thin beak, which is perfect for digging into the ground to find tasty invertebrates like worms and insects. The feathers on its head can look coppery-purple, and its throat feathers often fluff out when it makes sounds or displays.
Quick facts for kids Cape crow |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Corvus
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| Species: |
capensis
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Contents
Where Does the Cape Crow Live?
The Cape crow lives in two main areas of Africa. One group is found in the southern part of the continent. This includes places from the Cape in South Africa all the way north to southern Angola and east to Mozambique. The other group lives in central East Africa. You can find them in countries like South Sudan, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Kenya. The crows in the northern group are usually a little smaller than those in the south.
Cape Crow's Favorite Places to Live
These crows love open spaces. You'll often see them in grasslands, moorlands, and farm areas. They like places that have some trees or small woods nearby. These trees are important for them to build their nests. They seem to do very well in areas where people farm, finding lots of food there.
What Does the Cape Crow Eat?
The Cape crow is quite an expert at finding food. It eats many different things.
A Varied Diet
- It loves grains and other seeds.
- It digs for invertebrates using its strong, long beak. It stabs its beak into the ground to find them.
- It can open young maize (corn) kernels before they are fully ripe.
- It also eats bulbs and roots from certain plants.
- Small animals like frogs and tiny reptiles are also on its menu.
- It enjoys fruits and berries.
- Sometimes, it eats the eggs and chicks of birds that nest on the ground.
- It has even been known to catch and eat small birds, especially chickens on farms.
- These clever crows also turn over animal droppings to find insects hiding underneath.
How Does the Cape Crow Nest?
Cape crows are careful about where they build their homes.
Building a Home
They almost always build their nests in trees. They usually pick a spot high up near the top of the tree. Sometimes, but not often, they might build a nest in a large bush. A female crow usually lays three or four eggs. She keeps them warm for about 18 to 19 days until they hatch. The young birds, called hatchlings, are ready to fly after about 38 days. Typically, only three young crows from each nest survive to fly away.
What Does the Cape Crow Sound Like?
The Cape crow has a unique voice that helps it communicate.
Crow Calls
Its main call is often described as a repeated krrah.....krrah.....krrah. It can also make a quicker kah-kah-kah sound. These crows also make very loud, bubbly sounds that can travel a long distance. They sometimes make throaty chuckles too. There's even some evidence that these crows can copy the sounds of other animals or birds!
