http://www.ck12.org Chapter 12. Understanding Biodiversity: Animals: Birds
12.6 Couvs branchyrhynchos: American Crow
Common Name
- Crow
- American Crow
Description
The crow varies in height from 16-21 inches. The crow is distinguished by the dark black feathers, beak, and feet.
This bird is known for its black, raven-like coloring and large size. The bird is known for being intelligent and a
great problem solver, and for having a habit of stealing shiny objects. Because of this, often near crow nests people
find jewellery and other objects.
Humans affect the crow in many ways. One of the most impactful ways is human waste. As humans today we are
producing trash hazardous to our environment, dangerous to our animals and other plant species. The American
crow tends to hang around human areas to scavenge for food.
The American crow was first discovered and described by Christian Ludwig Brehm in 1822. It’s scientific name,
Corvus Brachyrhynchos means "short-billed crow", from the Ancient Greek language brachy- (βραχυ-) "short-"
and rhynchos (ρυνχoς) "billed".
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Passeriformes
- Family: Corvidae
- Genus:Corvus
- Species:C. brachyrhynchos
Habitat
The American crow tends to live in urban areas in which they can scavenge for food. The crow thrives throughout
North America; they are very versatile and adaptive animals. They are most typically found in the inland areas. They
tend to stay in urban areas, in which they live in an inorganic environment. This is because they wait for food, and
while doing so interact with humans.