[Corvus brachyrhynchos]
Common throughout North America, this very distinguished Corvid begins my foray into my next set of posts: birds and animals I see locally. I usually see these guys on early morning strolls, looking a little bit ominous in the pre-dawn fog. A group of them is called a Murder of Crows, one of the most well-known collective nouns of the animal world.
Corvids are considered the most intelligent of bird families, and, more intelligent than most other animals. They use tools! Many species of Corvid, including the American Crow, have been observed angling twigs into hooks to pull insects out of holes in trees!
At about 16 - 20 inches long, with a wingspan of about 22 - 28 inches, American Crows are an iridescent black, with squared tails and slightly curved beaks. These two features, and their smaller size, will help to differentiate them from Ravens.
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