Fish Crow

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae Genus: Corvus Species: ossifragus
Binomial name
Corvus ossifragus

The Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) is superficially very similar to the American Crow but is smaller and has a more silky smooth plumage by comparison. The differences are often only really apparent between the two species when side by side or, when heard calling. The bill is usually somewhat slimmer than the American Crow also but again, this may not help much when there is no other bird for comparison.

This species occurs on the eastern seaboard of the United States from the state of Rhode Island south to the northern part of the Gulf of Mexico and follows many river systems inland for quite some distance. Coastal marshes and beaches are frequented also rivers, inland lakes and marshes, river banks and the land immediately surrounding all.

Food is taken mainly from the ground and even in shallow water where the bird will hover and pluck food items out of the water with it's feet. Small crustaceans such as crabs, shrimps, other invertebrates, stranded fish and live fish if the situation favorers their capture, eggs and nestling's, small reptiles and fruits of many trees, peanuts and grains, human scraps where available.

The nest is usually built high in a tree and is often accompanied in nearby trees with other nests of the same species forming small, loose colonies. There are usually 4-5 eggs laid.

The voice is the most outwardly differing characteristic for this species and other American Crow species. Describes as a nasal and hoarse ark-ark-ark including a begging waw-waw.

The latest genetic testing now seems to indicate that this species is close to both the Sinaloan Crow, (Corvus sinaloae) and the Tamaulipas Crow, (Corvus imparatus) and not as close to the American Crow, (Corvus brachyrhynchos) as outward signs would suggest.

Image link

• Fish Crow (http://www.47custer.com/2000/november/brookline_110600/index)