How To Identify Birds: the Common Crow
- April 7, 2010
- 375 Views
Writer
Randall Frost
The common American crow can be found living throughout almost all of the U.S. Here’s how to spot it.
You Will Need
- Binoculars
- Field guide
Step 1: Observe the bird's field marks
Consider the bird’s appearance through binoculars and compare it with the pictures in your field guide. Crows are all black, including their bills and legs. Their bills are thick and sturdy.
Step 2: Listen to the bird's call
Pay attention to the bird’s call. Adult crows typically produce a full-voiced caw.
There can be variations in the crow’s caw. Crows can actually mimic the whine of a dog, the voice of a human, and the squawk of a hen.
Step 3: Observe the bird in flight
Observe the bird’s flight pattern. Crows exhibit a methodical flapping of their wings and do not soar like ravens do.
Step 4: Observe the bird's posture
Consider the bird’s posture. Crows perch in a manner that tends to be more horizontal than vertical.
The oldest recorded age of a wild American crow is 14 years and seven months.
Something wrong? Report this How-To
Comments (0)
There are no comments. Be the first!
Sign in or create an account to post a comment. Or, sign in using your Facebook to comment
and share your activity with your friends