American Crow

A large, all-black bird with a thick neck and heavy bill. This feather reflects the crow's robust nature, showing a solid dark pigment that provides UV protection and structural strength.

Uniformly iridescent black/charcoal with a subtle violet or greenish sheen visible in direct sunlight; the underside is a matte greyish-black. No banding or spots present.

Densely packed pennaceous barbs providing a firm, aerodynamic surface; plumulaceous (downy) barbs present only at the very base of the calamus.

Smooth, glossy, and slightly oily to the touch for water repellency. The vane is stiff and resilient, typical of high-performance flight feathers.

Uniform dark coloration, distinct asymmetry of flight feather, rounded tip, and subtle iridescence characteristic of the Corvid family.

Highly adaptable; found in open woodlands, agricultural fields, city parks, shorelines, and suburban yards.

Widespread across most of North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico; generally resident but northern populations may move slightly south.

Omnivorous scavenger and predator; they play a vital role in cleaning up carrion and controlling insect and rodent populations.

Common Raven (larger, more pointed feather tip), Fish Crow (nearly identical, requires measurements/location), and various black hawks (which have different notched patterns).

Crows are among the most intelligent animals on Earth, capable of using tools, recognizing individual human faces, and solving complex multi-step problems.

Good to Excellent; the edges show minimal wear, suggesting it was molted recently or is from a healthy adult bird. No significant fault bars visible.