The Probert Encyclopaedia of Nature

CORVIDAE

The Corvidae is the crow family of Conirostral birds and includes rooks, crows, ravens, magpies, jays and choughs. The members are characterized by a powerful beak, more or less compressed at the sides, with the upper mandible more or less arched to the point and the gape nearly straight. The nostrils are concealed by stiff bristles. They are birds of firm and compact structure, with long, powerful, pointed wings. Their feet and claws are robust. They are bold and daring birds with a propensity for stealing bright gaudy objects which they hide away.
Research Corvidae