Northwestern crow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northwestern crow |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Corvidae |
| Genus: | Corvus |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
C. b. caurinus
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| Trinomial name | |
| Corvus brachyrhynchos caurinus Baird, 1858
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| Northwestern crow range | |
The northwestern crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos caurinus) is an all-black bird found in the northwest parts of North America. It is a type of passerine bird, which means it's a perching bird. This crow is a subspecies of the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). It is a bit smaller than the American crow, usually measuring about 33 to 41 centimeters long. It also has smaller feet and a slightly thinner beak. It can be very hard to tell the difference between a northwestern crow and an American crow just by looking at them in nature. Usually, people tell them apart by where they live, but even that can be tricky!
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About This Crow
This type of crow was first described by a scientist named Spencer Fullerton Baird in 1858. For a long time, people thought it was a separate species, or at least a very distinct kind of crow. The American Ornithologists' Union, a group that studies birds, thought it was very closely related to the American crow. They even wondered if they were the same species. There were some reports of these two crows mixing and having babies, but it was never fully proven.
In June 2020, after a new study looked closely at the genes of both the American crow and the northwestern crow, scientists made an important discovery. The American Ornithological Society's North American Classification Committee decided that these two birds are actually the same species! This means the northwestern crow is now considered a variation of the American crow, not a separate species.
Terry Chesser, who leads a group at the United States Geological Survey, explained it well. He said that northwestern crows were first described as being smaller and acting differently than American crows. But over the years, many people who studied them realized that the differences were not always clear. Now, the new genetic information shows that these differences are just normal variations within one species.
What They Look Like
Northwestern crows look almost exactly like American crows. Both male and female crows look the same, which can make it hard to tell them apart. Scientists can sometimes tell them apart by measuring their wings, tails, and beaks when they have the birds in their hands. It's even easier to tell them apart if the scientist knows if the bird is a male or a female.
Older crows that are ready to have babies can sometimes be identified by their bodies. For example, males might have a certain swelling, and females might have a special patch on their belly for keeping eggs warm. Younger crows might not be ready to have babies yet, as they often help their parents at the nest.
Where They Live and Their Home
You can find northwestern crows along the coast and on islands in southern Alaska. They also live south through British Columbia and into Washington. They love to look for food on beaches and along shorelines. You can often see them in towns and cities too, especially near places where people live.
How They Behave
What They Eat
Northwestern crows eat many different things, much like the fish crow. They often look for food that has washed up on the beach, like fish, shellfish, crabs, and mussels. They also search through trash cans for food. These clever birds have been seen flying high into the air with mussels and dropping them onto hard surfaces to break them open! They also regularly eat insects, other small creatures without backbones, and different kinds of fruits, especially berries. Sometimes, they will even raid other birds' nests to eat eggs and baby birds.
Who Hunts Them
Some animals that hunt northwestern crows include cats, raccoons, raptors (like hawks and eagles), and ravens. Crows are very smart and often work together. They will gather in large groups to chase away these predators. This is called "mobbing."
Nesting and Reproduction
Northwestern crows usually build their nests alone. However, sometimes a few crows might build their nests close to each other, forming small, loose groups in trees or large bushes. Very rarely, they might build a nest on a cliff in a hidden spot, or even on the ground in a very remote area if there's a rock hanging over it for shelter. Their nests are typical crow nests, and they usually lay 4 to 5 eggs.
Their Voice
These crows make many different sounds. Their most common calls are often described as a high-pitched "caw" or a sound like a cork popping out of a bottle. If a crow is flying behind its group, it might make a "wok-wok-wok" sound. You can also hear them make various clicks and sounds that sound like mechanical rattles.
Gallery
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A pair of Northwestern crows in Seattle, Washington after foraging.
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Advisory sign during nesting season of Northwestern Crow, Sidney, British Columbia
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Colwood BC
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Vancouver, BC
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Homer, Alaska
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Seward, Alaska
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Northwestern crow fledgling
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Steveston, BC
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Images for kids
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Pair of crows chasing away a red-tailed hawk from their nest
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Northwestern crow range map
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American crow - Brooklyn, NY
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The skull of an American crow
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Brooklyn Museum - American crow - John J. Audubon
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American crow skeleton (Museum of Osteology)
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An American crow egg, in the collection of the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
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See also
In Spanish: Cuervo americano para niños
