FaunaHub

Crow

BirdCorvidWild

An American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) with all-black glossy plumage.

American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos).

Image: DickDaniels, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Crows are medium-to-large, all-black birds in the genus Corvus, part of the corvid family that also includes ravens, jays, and magpies. This page is a group-level overview; the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is used as a familiar reference. Crows are widely regarded as among the most intelligent birds, known for problem-solving, tool use in some species, and complex social behaviour.

Habitat & Range

Crows are highly adaptable and occur in woodland, farmland, grassland, coasts, and towns and cities across much of the world. Many thrive alongside people. Ranges and habitats differ between the various crow species, so a description of one does not apply to all.

Diet

Crows are opportunistic omnivores with a broad and flexible diet that can include invertebrates, small animals, eggs, seeds, fruit, carrion, and human food waste. This adaptability is part of why they are so successful. Diet varies by species, season, and what is locally available.

Behavior

Crows are social and often form large communal roosts outside the breeding season. They are noted for intelligence — including memory of individual human faces in studies of some species — and for varied vocalisations. Some crows use and even shape tools. Behaviour varies across the group, from highly social species to more territorial ones.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Crows are wild birds, not pets, and are protected by wildlife law in many regions. They feature widely in culture and folklore. Most crow species are common, though some island species are threatened; conservation status varies and should be checked against current sources. Do not disturb nests or roosts, and contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator or local authority for any injured wild bird.

Appearance & Recognition

Crows are sturdy black birds with strong legs and a stout, straight bill. The American crow is glossy black all over with a fan-shaped tail. Crows are most often confused with ravens, which are larger, with a heavier bill, shaggier throat feathers, and a wedge-shaped tail, and tend to give a deeper, croaking call. Size, tail shape, and voice are useful ways to tell crows and ravens apart.

Similar Animals

Crows are corvids, the same family as the raven covered separately on FaunaHub, along with jays, magpies, and rooks. The raven is the bird most often confused with a crow; the two differ in size, bill, tail shape, and voice.

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More photos of the crow

An American crow standing on the ground.

An American crow foraging.

Image: Cbaile19, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Crow

What is the difference between a crow and a raven?
Ravens are larger than crows, with a heavier bill, shaggy throat feathers, a wedge-shaped (rather than fan-shaped) tail, and a deeper croaking call. Both are black corvids in the genus Corvus, but these features help tell them apart. FaunaHub covers the raven separately.
Are crows really intelligent?
Crows are widely studied for their intelligence. Research on some species documents problem-solving, tool use, and the ability to recognise individual human faces. Intelligence varies across the group, but corvids as a whole are considered among the most cognitively capable birds.
Why do crows gather in large groups?
Outside the breeding season, many crows form large communal roosts, which may offer benefits such as safety in numbers and information-sharing about food. Roosting and flocking behaviour varies by species and season.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.