American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
The American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a highly adaptable bird species commonly found throughout North America, particularly in urban areas like Montreal. Known for its intelligence and social behaviour, this bird thrives in diverse environments, from city parks to rural landscapes.
| 🇫🇷 | Corneille d'Amérique |
| 🇩🇪 | Amerikanerkrähe |
| 🇲🇽 | Cuervo americano |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
How to Identify
The American Crow is entirely black, with a tail that is nearly as long as its body. Males are slightly larger than females. It can be challenging to distinguish from the Common Raven, which is larger. If you are in central Montreal and spot this bird, it is likely a crow. Outside the island, observe the tail in flight: the raven's tail forms a diamond shape, while the crow's tail is flat.
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Characteristics
| Length | 40-53cm |
| Weight | 316-620g |
| Wingspan | 85-100cm |
| Clutch Size | 3-6 eggs |
| Incubation | 16-18 days |
| Fledging | 36 days |
| Sexual Maturity | 2-6 years |
| Source | Wikipedia |
Where and When to Spot
The American Crow can be observed throughout the year. During the warmer months, these birds often travel in small flocks. In contrast, during the winter, they are more frequently seen foraging alone.
Observation Records by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belvédère Outremont | x | - | - | x |
| Boisé Des Douze | x | - | - | - |
| Jardin Botanique de Montréal | x | - | x | - |
| Parc Angrignon | x | x | x | x |
| Parc Michel-Chartrand | x | - | x | x |
| Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies | x | - | - | - |
| Parc de la Frayère | x | - | - | x |
| Parc des Rapides, Lachine | x | - | - | x |
| Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park | - | x | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.