Western Europe Birds & Birding (#33/52): From the Highland Willow Scrub of Scotland to the Aegean Islands in the Sea of Crete, Western Europe is home to over 800 resident, migratory and vagrant birds. From songbirds to gamebirds and from waterfowl to raptors, you can find birds virtually in every nook and cranny of this beautiful area. *All images showcased in this blog series were taken and edited by me.

A Reflections of the Natural World Blog Post Series by Jim Gain

The Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) is a resilient and resourceful bird, thriving across diverse landscapes while playing a vital role in ecosystem dynamics.

Physical Characteristics:

The Carrion Crow is a passerine bird belonging to the family Corvidae. Here are its key physical features:

• Plumage: The crow’s plumage is coal black with a green or purple sheen, which distinguishes it from the rook. The gloss on its feathers appears much greener than that of the rook.
• Beak and Legs: Both the bill and legs are also black.
• Identification: To differentiate it from the rook, observe the crow’s stouter beak and the presence of bristle-like feathers covering its nostrils. In flight, the crow’s wings are proportionally shorter and broader than those of the rook.
• Juveniles: Juvenile Carrion crows have brownish plumage and blue eyes, which darken to black and brown as they mature.

Diet:

The Carrion Crow is a versatile feeder with an omnivorous appetite. Its diet includes:

• Carrion: As the name suggests, carrion forms a significant part of its diet. It scavenges on various types of dead animals.
• Invertebrates: Earthworms are a favorite, but it also consumes insects.
• Small Mammals: The crow preys on small mammals.
• Bird Eggs and Nestlings: It opportunistically raids nests for eggs and young birds.
• Frogs: Amphibians are also on its menu.
• Grain and Seeds: In addition, it occasionally takes small amounts of grain and weed seeds.

Abundance and Distribution:

• Range: The Carrion Crow has an extensive distribution across continents. It is native to western Europe and much of Asia.
• Habitats: These adaptable birds inhabit a variety of environments, including parks, gardens, cultivated areas, wetlands, forest clearings, woodlands, moors, inshore islands, coastal cliffs, and tidepools.
• Migration: Birds in colder regions may migrate south during winter months.

IUCN Red List Status:

The Carrion Crow has an extremely large range, which prevents it from approaching the thresholds for Vulnerable status. Its population size and distribution do not currently warrant conservation concern.

For more information, you can explore the IUCN Red List and learn about the conservation status of various species.

CARRION CROW WAS LIFER #766

Carrion Crow 01 Oct 2022 Papworth Everard, Cambridge GB-England (52.2518,-0.1195) | GB-ENG

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