American Crow

The American Crow is a large, all-black passerine with a heavy bill and a short, squared-off or slightly rounded tail. This feather reflects the bird's overall coal-black plumage, which serves as a canvas for a beautiful purple or blue-green iridescent sheen in sunlight. Known for their intelligence and 'caw-caw' vocalizations, crows are highly social and often seen in large family groups or winter roosts.

Uniformly iridescent black with subtle violet or blue-green sheen when viewed in direct light. The underside is slightly more matte, grayish-black. The rachis is dark, matching the vane.

Densely interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane for aerodynamic integrity, transitioning to a small plumulaceous (downy) section at the base of the calamus.

Smooth, glossy, and slightly stiff. The surface has a structural iridescence common to corvids, appearing velvety but feeling rigid to the touch.

Uniform black coloration, rounded tip without sharp points, structural iridescence, and a relatively straight, robust rachis.

Extremely versatile; found in open woodlands, agricultural fields, orchards, suburban parks, and urban centers. Generally avoids dense, unbroken coniferous forests.

Widespread across North America from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Permanent resident across most of the United States.

Omnivorous scavengers and predators; they play a vital role in cleaning up carrion, controlling insect populations, and dispersing seeds, though they can impact smaller bird populations through nest predation.

Common Raven (larger, more pointed tip), Fish Crow (nearly identical, requires size comparison or vocalization context), or Boat-tailed Grackle (more tapered, different iridescence).

American Crows are among the most intelligent animals in the world, capable of problem-solving, tool use, and even recognizing individual human faces for years.

Good condition. The barbs are mostly intact with minor separation near the base (splitting). The calamus is clear, suggesting it was naturally molted rather than plucked.