BIRD OF THE MONTH - American Crow

November 2025 - American Crow

American Crows are common sights over much of the continent: large, intelligent, all-black birds with hoarse, cawing voices. They usually feed on the ground and eat almost anything—typically earthworms, insects and other small animals, seeds, and fruit; also garbage, carrion, and chicks they rob from nests.

Their flight style is unique, a patient, methodical flapping that is rarely broken up with glides. They are highly social birds, more often seen in groups than alone. In addition to roosting and foraging in numbers, crows often stay together in year-round family groups that consist of the breeding pair and offspring from the past two years. The whole family cooperates to raise young and sometimes work together to harass or drive off predators.

Often admired for their intelligence, they devise solutions to problems, and recognize unusual sources of food. Crows have more than 20 calls. The most common, a harsh caw, has several qualities and lengths that may serve different purposes. You may also hear a variety of calls and alert calls given to rally others to mob.

They’re also aggressive and often chase away larger birds including hawks, owls and herons. Short-distance migrant or resident. Most of the crows that breed in Canada winter in the United States, and no crows regularly winter in Mexico.