Hooded Crow

Corvus cornix

Genus · Crows and Ravens Family · Crows, Jays, and Magpies
Observation tips Difficulty: EASY
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
FarmlandUrban

Look for the obvious grey 'vest' against the black plumage. They are common in Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, and the Scottish Highlands.

Hooded Crow
Stats
Wingspan84–105 cm
Weight400–650 g
Length48–52 cm
Lifespan wild5–18 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typePlatform
Clutch size3–6 eggs
Incubation17–20 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationResident
Social BehaviourTerritorial

Diet: Omnivore

🦴Carrion
🥚Eggs
🌾Grain
🍕Human food
🦗Insects
🐭Mammals
🪱Worms

Habitat

🚜 Farmland🌳 Forest deciduous🌊 Marine🏙️ Urban
✦ Fun Fact

In areas where Hooded and Carrion Crows meet, they frequently interbreed. This produces offspring with a mix of grey and black plumage.

About

The Hooded Crow is a striking, two-toned crow. It has an ash-grey body and a contrasting black head, wings, and tail. It is found in Northern and Eastern Europe, Scotland, and Ireland. It is highly adaptable and intelligent. It lives in coastal cliffs and city parks. It is now recognized as a full species separate from the Carrion Crow.

Behaviour

Hooded Crows are social and opportunistic. They forage on the ground for insects and food scraps. They are bold scavengers and harass raptors to steal prey. Like other crows, they drop hard nuts onto roads so passing cars crack them open. They are alert and usually the first to give a raucous alarm call.
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