American Crow

The American Crow is a large, all-black passerine. It is highly intelligent, known for problem-solving and complex social structures. The feathers are designed for strong, flapping flight and can appear glossy in direct light.

Uniformly iridescent black or charcoal. Depending on sunlight, it may show a subtle blue or violet sheen. The underside of the vane is slightly more matte/greyish than the top.

Largely pennaceous with interlocked barbicels providing a firm vane for flight. The base shows a small amount of plumulaceous (downy) structure near the calamus.

Relatively stiff and smooth. The surface has a glossy appearance characteristic of structural coloration in melanin-rich feathers.

Uniform black coloration, stiff rachis, asymmetrical flight vane, and lack of banding or spots distinguish it from raptors or smaller blackbirds.

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

Found throughout most of North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Permanent resident in most of its range.

Omnivorous scavenger and predator; they play a vital role in cleaning up carrion and controlling insect populations. They are also sensitive indicators of West Nile Virus.

Common Raven (larger, more wedge-shaped tail feathers), Fish Crow (nearly identical, requires audio/location ID), and various blackbirds (much smaller).

Crows can recognize individual human faces and are known to use tools, such as sticks, to extract food. They also participate in 'anting,' where they let ants crawl on their feathers to use formic acid as a pesticide.

Fair to Good. The feather shows noticeable 'ruffling' or separation of the barbs along the edges, suggesting it is a molted feather that has been exposed to the elements.