American Crow (Common Crow)
Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Passeriformes, Family: Corvidae, Genus: Corvus, Species: Corvus brachyrhynchos · Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies) · Flight feather (Primary or Secondary remex)
Species
Corvus brachyrhynchos
Feather Type
Flight feather (Primary or Secondary remex)
Family
Corvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
Shape
Highly asymmetrical vane with a tapered, slightly rounded tip and characteristic emargination on the leading edge.
Size
Approximately 4 to 5 inches in length. This size is consistent with an inner primary or a secondary flight feather for a medium-sized corvid.
Rarity
Very Common; one of the most widespread and easily recognizable birds in North America.
Color & Pattern
Iridescent brownish-black to deep charcoal. Under specific lighting, it exhibits a subtle violet or greenish sheen characteristic of melanin-based structural coloration. The ventral side is more matte.
Barb Structure
Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs with visible barbicels providing a firm, aerodynamic surface; the base shows minimal plumulaceous downy structure.
Texture & Surface
The surface is smooth, glossy, and somewhat oily to the touch, providing water resistance. The leading edge (vane) is significantly stiffer than the trailing edge.
Description
A medium-sized, all-black passerine known for its intelligence and social complexity. Crows possess broad wings and a thick bill. Their feathers are prized for their deep, rich blackness that hides a hidden spectrum of iridescence.
Key Features
Deep black coloration, strong asymmetry of the vane, and a subtle metallic sheen that distinguishes it from the flatter black of a Black Vulture or the smaller feathers of a Starling.
Habitat
Ubiquitous across North America including agricultural fields, open woodlands, suburban parks, urban centers, and coastal areas.
Geographic Range
Resident throughout most of the United States and southern Canada; northernmost populations may move slightly south during harsh winters.
Condition Notes
The feather appears weathered with several visible splits (zips) in the vane and some fraying at the edges, suggesting it is a naturally molted feather from the previous season.
Interesting Facts
American Crows are known to use tools, recognize individual human faces, and hold 'funerals' where they gather around a deceased member of their species to learn about potential threats.
Ecological Role
Omnivorous scavengers and predators that play a vital role in cleaning up carrion and controlling insect populations; also known to disperse seeds.
Similar Species
Common Raven (larger, more wedge-shaped tail feathers), Fish Crow (nearly identical, identified better by call), and Brewer's Blackbird (much smaller and more iridescent).