American Crow

Feathers of the American Crow are iconic for their deep black pigment. The bird itself is a large, intelligent passerine with a thick neck, heavy bill, and broad wings. In flight, they show a fanned, rounded tail and characteristic steady rowing wingbeats.

Uniformly iridescent black with subtle violet-blue or greenish sheen when viewed in direct sunlight. The underside appears more charcoal or matte grey due to the lack of structural light interference.

Highly pennaceous and interlocked for flight efficiency; exhibits a small plumulaceous section at the base (superior umbilicus) for insulation.

Smooth, stiff, and slightly glossy on the dorsal surface; the vane is high-integrity but shows significant separation due to wear or handling.

Uniform black coloration, slight iridescence, asymmetrical wing feather shape, and a thick, dark rachis.

Extremely versatile; found in open woodlands, agricultural fields, urban parks, shorelines, and suburban residential areas.

Common throughout most of North America from southern Canada to northern Mexico; generally a year-round resident except in the furthest northern reaches.

Omnivorous scavenger and predator; they play a vital role in cleaning up carrion and controlling insect populations but can impact other songbird nests.

Fish Crow (nearly identical, identified by call), Common Raven (much larger, more wedge-shaped tail feathers), and Boat-tailed Grackle (smaller, thinner rachis).

Crows are known to recognize individual human faces and can communicate complex information about threats to other members of their murder (flock).

Fair condition; the vane is severely 'zipped' or split (barbs separated), likely due to mechanical wear, wind, or the bird's molting process before it was found.