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Fish Crow

Corvus ossifragus

Least Concern
This clever coastal corvid, known for its distinctive nasal call, is a master of shoreline scavenging from the eastern United States to parts of the Caribbean.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Fish Crow is a medium-sized corvid with glossy black plumage that shows a subtle purple sheen in good light. It has a slender build, with a relatively small head and a thin, slightly curved bill shorter than the American Crow's.

Juveniles appear similar to adults but may have a duller plumage and less glossy feathers. There's no significant difference between males and females in appearance.

Size

Length

36cm to 41cm

Wingspan

84cm to 91cm

Weight

230g to 400g

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Black

Secondary Colour

Purple

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Fish Crow is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Fish Crow is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Fish Crow can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Fish Crow can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Fish Crow can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Fish Crow is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Fish Crow is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Fish Crow is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Fish Crow is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Fish Crow is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Fish Crow is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Fish Crow is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Fish Crows are primarily found along the eastern and southeastern coasts of the United States, from New England to Florida and west along the Gulf Coast to Texas. They inhabit coastal areas, estuaries, and inland waterways. Populations have expanded into Canada, especially along Lake Ontario.

While mostly coastal, they have expanded their range inland along major rivers and lakes. In the USA, they're common in coastal cities and towns, adapting well to urban environments near water bodies.

Elevation Range

Up to 500 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Fish Crow. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Canada
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
United States of America
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
The Bahamas

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Fish Crows demonstrate high agility with their adept flight skills, often seen soaring and gliding over water bodies. Their ability to manoeuvre swiftly, especially when following fishing boats or foraging along shorelines, indicates impressive aerial dexterity.

Strength 60

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not exceptionally strong for their size, Fish Crows possess moderate strength. Their ability to carry and drop shellfish from heights to crack them open suggests a decent level of physical power, though not extraordinary compared to larger corvids.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Fish Crows exhibit remarkable adaptability. They've successfully expanded from coastal habitats to inland waterways and urban environments. Their opportunistic foraging behaviour, including tool use and exploitation of human food sources, demonstrates high adaptability to various conditions.

Aggressiveness 65

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Fish Crows show moderate aggressiveness. Whilst they're known to steal fish and bait, indicating some boldness, they're not typically described as highly aggressive birds. Their social nature suggests a balance between assertiveness and cooperation within their species.

Endurance 75

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Fish Crow's endurance appears to be quite good. Their ability to forage over wide areas, including following fishing boats and patrolling shorelines, indicates solid stamina. However, as primarily coastal birds, they may not undertake the long-distance migrations seen in some other species, which limits their endurance rating.

Diet

Fish Crows have a varied diet, primarily consisting of small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks found in coastal waters. They also consume insects, small reptiles, bird eggs, and nestlings. Opportunistic feeders, they readily take advantage of human food scraps in urban areas.

Behaviour

Fish Crows are highly social birds, often seen in small flocks or pairs. They're known for their agile flight, frequently soaring and gliding over water bodies.

These intelligent birds are opportunistic foragers, often following fishing boats or scavenging along beaches and waterfronts.

Vocalisation

The Fish Crow's call is distinctively nasal and short, often described as a two-note 'uh-uh' or 'ca-ha'. It is higher-pitched and less harsh than the American Crow's 'caw'. The Fish Crow also produces a variety of softer croaks, rattles, and guttural sounds in social interactions.

Nesting & Breeding

Fish Crows typically form monogamous pairs and breed from March to June. They engage in courtship displays that include aerial chases and mutual preening.

Nests are built in trees or large shrubs, often near water. They are a bulky structure of sticks lined with softer materials like grass and bark. Females lay 3-5 pale blue-green eggs with brown spots.

Both parents incubate the eggs for about 16-18 days. Nestlings fledge after approximately 30-35 days but may remain dependent on parents for several more weeks.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While the Fish Crow is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss due to coastal development and climate change.

Local populations may be affected by pollution in aquatic ecosystems, which can impact their food sources.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

Unknown

Global Population Trend

[2]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for Fish Crows near coastal areas, rivers, and lakes
  • Listen for their distinctive nasal 'uh-uh' call, which differs from the American Crow's 'caw'
  • Observe their behavior around water, including following boats and foraging on shorelines
  • Note their slightly smaller size and more slender build compared to American Crows

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Family:

Corvidae

Average Lifespan

7 to 10 years

Predators

Main predators include large raptors such as Great Horned Owls, Red-tailed Hawks, and occasionally Peregrine Falcons. Raccoons and snakes may prey on eggs and nestlings.

Did You Know?

  1. Fish Crows can open shellfish by dropping them from heights onto hard surfaces.
  2. They're known to steal fish from fishing lines and bait from crab pots.
  3. Fish Crows have been observed using tools like sticks to probe for food.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2016. Corvus ossifragus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22705993A94045235.

    View source
  2. 2

    report, 2007: Breeding Bird Survey and/or Christmas Bird Count: Butcher and Niven

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