Wednesday, 15 February 2012
Carrion Crow
Scientific Name:
Corvus corone
Length:
46 cm
Wingspan (mm):
98 cm
Lifespan:
4yrs Description
Very similar in appearance to rooks, but carrion crows have smoother plumage which has a green and purple iridescence, and the bill is thicker and blunter.
Juvenile birds have duller, browner plumage and pale blue eyes: adults have brown eyes.
Diet
The Carrion Crow eats carrion, insects, worms, seeds, fruit and any scraps. It will often spend long periods observing the nest building habits of small birds before raiding the nests, taking eggs and young chicks as food. Coastal Carrion Crows generally feed on shore-crabs and mussels.
Status
Green
Did You Know?
Carrion crows have a strange obsession with fire and, though otherwise known for their intelligence, have been known to carry burning material back to their nests!