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 The stick is then withdrawn, with the still attached larvae, and the larvae eaten.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
In Greek mythology, Arne was a Thracian woman who betrayed the island of Siphnos to Minos in return for gold and subsequently for her greed she was turned into a jackdaw. Research Arne
Abbreviations
Research Corvus
