The Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) is a British bird of the family Corvidae, order Passeriformes, closely related to Corvus cornix, the hooded crow. The carrion-crow, or simply the crow, is about 45 cm inches in length, and about 92 cm between the tips of the wings. Its plumage is compact and glossy blue-black with some greenish reflections. Its favourite food is carrion of all kinds; but it also preys upon small quadrupeds, young birds, frogs, lizards, etc, and is a confirmed robber of the nests of game birds and poultry. It is not gregarious, being generally met with either solitary or in pairs. It builds a large isolated nest, with from four to six eggs, generally of a bluish-green with blotches of brown. The carrion-crow is easily tamed, and may be taught to articulate words.
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
The crow (Corvus) is a family of some 35 species of birds, the type of the family Corvidae. It includes, as British species, the carrion-crow, the hooded or Royston crow, the raven, the rook, and the jackdaw.
The crow family are among the cleverest birds, many species developing techniques and learning to use tools in the pursuit of food. The New Caledonian Crow of New Caledonia uses a thin stick to catch wood-boring beetle larvae. It uses the stick to gently irritate the larvae inside a log, until the larvae bites the stick with its strong jaws. The stick is then withdrawn, with the still attached larvae, and the larvae eaten. Some New Caledonian crows carry the same stick around with them, others collect a new stick near a log at which they are hunting. Young New Caledonian Crows learn the art from older birds, taking about a year to become proficient. Research Crow
Jackdaw is a common name for two birds of the family Corvidae. The European jackdaw (Corvus monedula) , is about 33 centimetres long. It is dark grey, blackest and glossiest on the head, back, wings, and tail, with a paler grey neck.
The Daurian jackdaw (Corvus dauuricus), of eastern Asia, is similar to the European jackdaw, but paler in colour, with a more common colour phase in which the foreback, neck, and belly are white. Originally nesting in hollow trees, jackdaws have adapted to urban life and nest on churches, castles, and other ornate buildings. Like other crows, they are omnivorous and noisy. Research Jackdaw
The nutcracker is a Jay-like bird of the genus Nucifraga, in the crow family Corvidae, order Passeriformes. There are two species: one in the Old World and one in the New World. The Old World nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes) is found in areas of coniferous forest in Asia and parts of Europe, particularly in mountains. About 30 centimetres long, it has a brown back, with a long white spot on each feather, dark brown head, white tipped outer tail feathers, black feet and a powerful black bill. It feeds on conifer seeds. The nest is a big, clumsy structure, and in it about three eggs are laid, which are very light green, spotted with pale brown. Irregularly, there is a mass migration of nutcrackers from Siberia to western Europe. Research Nutcracker
The rook (Corbus frugilegus) is a bird of the crow (Corvidae) family of the order Passeriformes. Rooks are social birds, frequently seen in farmland in large flocks. They have glossy black plumage, and the adult has a bare, white facial patch at the base of the long bill, which is absent in the young. The rook's nest is a large, made of sticks lined with grass, moss and leaves, and is built high in a tree. Rooks eat worms, beetle larvae, seeds, grain and roots, carrion and general human waste. Research Rook
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Carrion Crow
