# American Crow (*Corvus brachyrhynchos*) The American Crow is a smart, black bird that loves to chat! You can often see them flying in groups or hopping around in parks. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 394 - **Habitat:** Open fields, parks, and forests. - **Also known as:** Crow ![American Crow](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424734/objects/4546.jpg) ## Appearance The American Crow is a medium-sized bird with entirely iridescent, glossy black plumage covering its body, beak, and legs. It has a robust body, a strong, straight bill, and a distinct fan-shaped tail, which helps distinguish it from the larger, wedge-tailed Common Raven. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Corvidae - **Genus:** Corvus ## Interesting facts - A group of American Crows is famously called a "murder." - Crows have been seen 'mobbing' large birds of prey to chase them away. - Crows sometimes lead predators to other bird nests to steal their eggs! - They can mimic a wide range of sounds, even human speech! ## Special abilities - **Tool Master:** American Crow can use sticks or stones as tools because of their problem-solving intelligence, helping them access hidden food sources. - **Face Recognizer:** American Crow can remember human faces for years because of their advanced cognitive abilities, helping them identify threats or helpers. - **Vocal Communicator:** American Crow can communicate complex messages using over 25 distinct calls, helping them coordinate group activities and warn of predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 40-50 cm - **Wingspan:** 85-100 cm - **Weight:** 0.3-0.6 kg - **Lifespan:** 7-8 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-6 - **Incubation:** 17-18 days ## Diet & Feeding Omnivores eating insects, seeds, fruit, eggs, small animals, and carrion. - **Primary Foods:** insects, seeds, berries, small mammals, eggs, carrion - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Major predator of crow eggs and young. - **Hunts:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Crows sometimes raid nests for squirrel young. - **Eats:** Western Corn Rootworm (*Diabrotica virgifera*) — Consumes insect pests like rootworms in fields. - **Shelter:** American Sycamore (*Platanus occidentalis*) — Nests in tall trees like sycamores. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Crows are friendly but can be loud. It's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Crow? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is American Crow? 40-50 cm ### What is American Crow's wingspan? 85-100 cm ### How much does American Crow weigh? 0.3-0.6 kg ### How long does American Crow live? 7-8 years ### How fast can American Crow move? 60 km/h ### What does American Crow eat? Omnivores eating insects, seeds, fruit, eggs, small animals, and carrion. ### Where is American Crow usually found? Open fields, parks, and forests. ## Where to spot - [Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alfred-b-maclay-gardens-state-park) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Berry Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berry-botanic-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [Chicken Ridge Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chicken-ridge-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Derryfield Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/derryfield-park) — New Hampshire, US · Park - [Durso Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/durso-park) — Illinois, US · Park - [Eden Landing Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eden-landing-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see American Crow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-crow) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [American Crow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-crow)