Learn 100 Common Valley Birds Blog Post Species #72/100
Few things on earth fill us with as much delight as birds, and knowing them by name only adds to our pleasure. In California’s Central Valley, with only a little bit of effort, anyone can learn 100 local bird species. Especially since on a daily basis Valley Residents come in contact with at least a dozen species that most recognize, but may not know the name of. The intent of this blog is for followers to learn about and be able to identify 100 common valley birds.
A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain
WHAT’S IN A NAME
American Crow – Corvus brachythynchos
Name roots: (Latin. corvus, “a crow”; Greek. , brachy, “short”, rhynchos, “beak”)
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The American crow, which is found across all of the United States and most of Canada is an all black bird that is about 17.5 inches long. It is often misidentified as a raven, a bird to which it is closely related. Crows differ from ravens in appearance by their shorter, thinner beaks, and by their size – about six inches shorter than a raven. Crows may appear to be a deep purple color in bright sunlight.
AN INTERESTING OR UNUSUAL FACT
American Crows are known to let ants crawl on them and secrete acids on their feathers. This behavior, known as “anting,” is not fully understood, but it’s believed that the acids help to get rid of parasites. So, in a way, crows use ants as a form of feather cleaning service.
DISTRIBUTION STATUS IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY
The American Crow is a Common Yearround Resident in California’s Central Valley and can be found in almost any habitat.
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