#corvus caurinus

[corvuscaurinushasapen]

[maritimeorca]

From the archives Via Flickr: Northwestern Crow (Corvus caurinus) at Anchor Point State Park

[oceanodroma-blog1]

Craig the cross-billed Crow

[oceanodroma-blog1]

All 4 of these crows radiate extremely different energies

[oceanodroma-blog1]

My 2 moods: kind benevolence, and pure unbridled rage 

[ainawgsd]

The northwestern crow (Corvus caurinus) is an all-black passerine bird of the crow genus native to the northwest of North America. It is very similar to the more western forms of the widespread American crow, but it averages slightly smaller (13–16 inches in length) with proportionately smaller feet and a slightly more slender bill. This taxon is reliably identified by range only.

This species occurs in coastal regions and offshore islands of southern Alaska, south through British Columbia to Washington. Beaches and shorelines are the principal forage areas. It can often be seen in and around urban areas. 

The diet is very similar to that of the fish crow; the northwestern crow eats stranded fish, shellfish, crabs and mussels, and also searches through refuse containers for suitable food items. It has been seen to fly into the air with mussels and drop them onto hard surfaces to break them open. It also regularly eats insects, other invertebrates, and various fruits (especially berries). It raids other birds' nests to eat eggs and hatchlings.

The voice is very varied, and many types of call are made, but the most common are usually described as a high pitched "caw" and the sound of a cork coming out of a bottle. A "wok-wok-wok" is given by a bird in flight if straggling behind the group, and various clicks and mechanical sounding rattles are also heard.

Nests are generally solitary, but sometimes built in association with a few other individuals in small, loose colonies in trees or sometimes large bushes. Very rarely, it will nest on cliffs in a recess or even on the ground in a remote area if overhung by a rock for shelter. It is a typical crow nest with 4-5 eggs usually laid.

[oceanodroma-blog1]

Northwestern Crow

Vancouver, BC

[corvidblog-blog]

Love crows? Want to fund science? Go to the above link to find out how you can contribute to the research of our colleagues Kaeli Swift and John Marzluff at the University of Washington.

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If you can't contribute monetarily, please spread the word!!!  Thank you!