American crow

A common, intelligent crow that feeds opportunistically in woods, farms and towns.

Field guide

A common, intelligent crow that feeds opportunistically in woods, farms and towns.

Identification

Entirely black with a stout bill and broad, rounded wings; larger than a grackle.

Both sexes are entirely black with a thick bill and broad wings. Males average slightly larger, but an individual cannot be reliably sexed by sight.

Females have the same black plumage and bill shape. Size overlaps substantially with males, so a field view alone does not reliably establish sex.

Habitat

Open woods, agricultural land, shorelines and settlements with trees.

Where to look during the day

At dawn, listen around communal roosts and feeding fields.

In the afternoon, watch field edges, roadsides and tall lookout trees.

At dusk, flocks often travel toward communal roosts.

Sounds

A familiar rough caw, with softer rattles and varied social calls.

American crow

Field recording of an American crow. A narrower call type or the caller's sex is not assigned to this clip.

Jonathon Jongsma · Recording source

Natural history source: Read the source

Bag limits