# Carrion Crow (*Corvus corone*) Carrion crows are clever birds with shiny black feathers. They often gather in groups and can be seen hopping around parks and fields. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Open fields, parks, and woodlands - **Also known as:** Black Crow, Corvid ![Carrion Crow](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424626/objects/4568.jpg) ## Appearance The Carrion Crow is a medium-sized bird entirely covered in sleek, glossy black plumage, including its strong beak and legs. It has a robust, compact body shape, visually distinct from the shaggy-throated raven or the grey-necked hooded crow. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Corvidae - **Genus:** Corvus ## Interesting facts - Carrion crows sometimes 'mob' larger birds of prey, working together to chase them out of their territory! - Crows sometimes engage in playful behavior, like sliding down snowy roofs or dropping and catching objects mid-flight! - These clever birds have been observed dropping nuts onto roads, letting cars crack them open for an easy meal! - They can remember human faces for years, even alerting other crows to "dangerous" people they recognize! ## Special abilities - **Clever Toolmaker:** Carrion Crows can use twigs or stones as tools to access food because this helps them forage efficiently for hidden treats. - **Puzzle Solver:** Carrion Crows can solve complex puzzles to get food because their high intelligence helps them adapt to new challenges easily. - **Memory Master:** Carrion Crows can remember individual human faces for years because this intelligence helps them identify friends or foes. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 45-50 cm - **Wingspan:** 84-100 cm - **Weight:** 0.4-0.6 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 55 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-6 - **Incubation:** 18-19 days ## Diet & Feeding Carrion Crows are omnivores, eating almost anything they can find, from insects and seeds to human refuse! - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Worms, Seeds, Fruits, Carrion, Eggs, Small mammals - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Peregrine Falcon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/peregrine-falcon) (*Falco peregrinus*) — Crows can occasionally fall prey to swift peregrine falcons. - **Hunts:** [Common Blackbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-blackbird) (*Turdus merula*) — Carrion Crows frequently prey on eggs and nestlings of smaller birds. - **Eats:** [Black Slug](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-slug) (*Arion ater*) — Slugs and other invertebrates are a common and nutritious food source. - **Hunts:** Wood Mouse (*Apodemus sylvaticus*) — Crows will opportunistically hunt small mammals like mice. ## 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 Carrion crows are not dangerous, but it's best to enjoy watching them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Carrion 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 Carrion Crow? 45-50 cm ### What is Carrion Crow's wingspan? 84-100 cm ### How much does Carrion Crow weigh? 0.4-0.6 kg ### How long does Carrion Crow live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Carrion Crow move? 55 km/h ### What does Carrion Crow eat? Carrion Crows are omnivores, eating almost anything they can find, from insects and seeds to human refuse! ### Where is Carrion Crow usually found? Open fields, parks, and woodlands ## Where to spot - [Woburn Safari Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/woburn-safari-park) — England, GB · Zoo - [Zoo de la Palmyre](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoo-de-la-palmyre) — Nouvelle-Aquitaine, FR · Zoo - [Diergaarde Blijdorp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/diergaarde-blijdorp) — South Holland, NL · Zoo - [London Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/london-aquarium) — England, GB · Aquarium - [Whipsnade Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/whipsnade-zoo) — England, GB · Zoo - [Clara-Zetkin-Park (Leipzig)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/clara-zetkin-park-leipzig) — Sachsen, DE · Park [View all places to see Carrion Crow](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/carrion-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: [Carrion Crow: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/carrion-crow)