Fun Northwestern Crow Facts For Kids
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There are a total of 40 species of crows. The Northwestern crow (Corvus caurinus) inhabits the coast and islands of British Columbia when it forages along shores and tidal flats and native North America and belongs to the order Passeriformes, family Corvidae, genus Corvus. Some believe the northwestern and American crows may actually belong to the same species.
The northwestern crow is considered a subspecies of the American crow. They are similar in appearance differing in size and voice. They are confused with ravens as well.
Northwestern crows are intelligent beings and are quick to hunt for food. You might encounter them if you live in a region native to these crows picking on picnic spots specifically in order to procure food.
They are also seen in the Pacific northwest, tidal estuaries, coastal ponds, seabird colonies and garbage dumps, and towns, cities, and other places in and around the city.
Crows are considered unwelcome guests in most places since their voice is largely unappreciated by people. If you like this article, then go and read our black cuckoo and red-footed booby bird articles.
Northwestern Crow Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a northwestern crow?
The Northwestern crow (Corvus caurinus) a type of bird animal that belongs to the kingdom Animalia.
What class of animal does a northwestern crow belong to?
The Northwestern crow (Corvus caurinus) is a bird that belongs to the Aves class, order Passeriformes, family Corvidae.
How many northwestern crows are there in the world?
The exact number of northwestern crows in the world is not evaluated, however, they are classified as the Least Concern species. The American crow population is around 31 million.
Where does a northwestern crow live?
They are primarily residents in Pacific northwest coastal areas, bays, river mouths, islands as well as in landfills. These birds of North America are also seen in habitats and range of seabird colonies, the Pacific Northwest, and Alaska. Northwestern crows are opportunistic birds ready to feed in all instances.
What is a northwestern crow's habitat?
These birds can be seen in tidal estuaries, coastal ponds, seabird colonies and garbage dumps, a farm, and towns a house, cities, and other places in and around the city.
Who do northwestern crows live with?
Northwestern crows are largely solitary birds and are rarely seen in groups except when they migrate and during the breeding season. This happens primarily during winter. They are known to cover over 700 km in some instances.
How long does a northwestern crow live?
The average lifespan of the American crows is seven to eight years. However Northwestern birds have been recorded to have lived for at least 16 years and eight months old in the year 1996 in British Columbia. Captive birds are known to live for 30 years.
How do they reproduce?
During winter the northwestern crow migrates to eastern parts both to keep themselves safe during winter months as well as in the breeding season. Males and females visit breeding sites together.
They usually build a nest on-ground against a tree, a shrub, or even grasses in some instances in the breeding season. The females then place branches one foot long and then fill the remaining space with other materials available like feathers, wool, and grass for the young ones to stay.
When mating the male droops and quivers its wings the females respond then crouches.
Male and female crows together incubate the nestlings and the males are responsible to feed both the mother and the offspring while the mother protects the juveniles. The incubation period lasts 17-20 days post which the nestlings develop wings and feathers.
What is their conservation status?
The northwestern crow (Corvus caurinus) is classified as a Least Concern species by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature (IUCN).
Northwestern Crow Fun Facts
What do northwestern crows look like?
Corvus caurinus are birds of North America and are often compared to the American Crow however, American crows belong to a different subspecies. The northwestern crow is slightly smaller than American crows. They are predominantly black in color and are typically found along the coast at tidepools.
They have a heavy black bill which is noticeably larger, its tail feathers are longer and its throat feathers are shorter. Crows are known to walk on the ground. They have sharp claws which are capable of going into possible prey easily.
How cute are they?
Northwestern crows are unique and beautiful to look at. Their voice is annoying, however, they are extremely intelligent birds of North America. Their behavior and voice are considered largely annoying by most people however they are important to regulate insect populations.
How do they communicate?
Crows communicate mainly with calls. They use a variety of calls with different meanings.
Some are general calls while others are specific calls that they call to notify others. They often soar on clear days and sometimes seem to play with each other on the wing, chasing, swooping without aggressive purpose. Crows are sociable, roosting and foraging in large flocks.
How big is a northwestern crow?
The northwestern crow is 16.5-17.5 in (41.9-44.5 cm) which is 50 times bigger than the smallest bird in the world the bee hummingbird which is 2.4 in (6.1 cm) tall.
How fast can a northwestern crow fly?
They have good flying speeds and fly above rocky shores, sidewalks and break open the shell. American crows can fly up to 60 mph and can sustain high speeds of 70 mph. The slowest flying bird is the American woodcock which flies at a speed of 5 mph.
How much does a northwestern crow weigh?
The Northwestern crow weighs 13.7-15.7 oz (388-444 lb). The American crow is considered to be the largest of all species of crow.
What are their male and female names of the species?
Male and female crows are not addressed differently but they differ in terms of their size, shape as well as reproductive functions are different.
What would you call a baby northwestern crow?
A baby northwestern crow is referred to as a chick. Baby crows are hardly seen in the open once they develop wings and feathers they are independent and lead their own lives.
What do they eat?
The feeding is primarily omnivorous in nature. The Northwestern crow diet consists of eggs, nestlings, seeds, fruits, and garbage. They can be seen feeding on all kinds of food and often are seen fending for food in different parts of the region.
Are they dangerous?
Northwestern crows are not dangerous as long as they are not harmed. Crows are known to remember human faces and are also capable of informing other members of the species of particular faces if you have troubled them.
They usually annoy people with their voice. If you encounter a crow it's safe to keep a distance and avoid keeping any food in their sight else they might attack.
Would they make a good pet?
No, they are innately wild beings hence it's illegal to keep crows as pets in many countries. You don't have to travel far to see these species if you live in a region native to these species.
If you don't, you could always search for information available on these species online. Crows are common birds in most countries and it is unlikely that you have not seen at least one species of a crow in your life.
Did you know...
The smartest crow in the crow species is the American crow, based on studies on how capable they are of handling different challenges. Northwestern crows are often confused with the American crows however, they are different species.
Audubon Guide to North American birds access a free guide to more than 800 species of birds and has information related to climate change.
Crows consist of a major part of North American birds. The Cornell lab has information related to these kinds of birds.
Crow is known as a 'kawwa' in Hindi and has a native name in most languages around the world.
What is the difference between a raven and a crow?
Crows and ravens have been long addressed in literary works as bad omens or signs of the witch. Ravens have featured in various literary works like the poems of Edgar Allan Poe or the greedy the raven in the 'Game of Thrones' series.
Similar is the case with crows who have played prominent roles in children's stories like 'The Thirsty Crow' showcasing the intelligence of the crows in obtaining their food.
Ravens can fly at 50 mph, so crows are relatively slower. Ravens have more tail feathers as compared to crows whose tail is usually more straight.
Their voice is also different and they don't mate with each other although they look similar. It is much easier to spot a crow than a raven. Ravens are seen in rare instances as compared to crows who are seen much widely.
Who eats a crow?
Animals that feed on northwestern crows include cats, raccoons, ravens, and raptors. Northwestern crows are extremely intelligent beings and quick to sense the presence of a predator. Their instant response to any form of attack is flight.
They have strong beaks and are known to attack. Not only animals but also humans. It's safe to keep a distance from northwestern crows to avoid getting attacked.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our nightingale fun facts or dodo interesting facts.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable northwestern crow coloring pages.
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