American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)

OTHER NAMES: Crow
Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") brachyrhynchus ("short bill")

 
Adult American Crow (subspecies C. b. hesperis) at Berkeley, Califoria - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Corvus brachyrhynchos hesperis ("Western Crow")
Weight: 316-620g  /  Length: 40-53cm  /  Wingspan: 85-100cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

With a range centred around the American Crow fills much the same niche as the Carrion and Hooded Crow do in Europe. It's range is centred on the US and Southern Canada, also reaching into Northern Mexico. Interestingly, in the Bay Area it shares much of it's range with Common Raven, which in Europe is generally a species that favours more remote areas.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
SUBSPECIES: C. b. bracyrhynchosm C, b, hesperis, C, b, caurinus, C. b. pascuus, C. b. paulus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found throughout the entire Lower 48

- CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at  Berkeley and San Francisco

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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House Crow (Corvus splendens)

OTHER NAMES: Indian Crow, Indian House Crow, Grey-necked Crow, Columbo Crow

Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") splendens ("brilliant/glittering")

Adult House Crow (Corvus splendens - unknown subspecies) in Kuala Lumpur - July 2016

Featured Subspecies: Unknown - from an introduced population
Weight: 320-415g  /  Length: 40-43cm  /  Wingspan: 76-85cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The House Crow is a species that has benefited greatly from the influence of humans - initially resident primarily on the Indian Sub-continent and surroundings, with the advent of human trading it has been able to spread to new locations including South-East Asia, East Africa and the Middle-East, where it has thrived.  It has even reached Europe in small numbers, and can be found in some port cities, though it is unclear at this point how sustainable those are.  It is a comparatively slender member of it's order, but also something I noticed - much quieter than most other corvids I have encountered - the only time I even particularly noticed them calling was when walking beneath some trees they had been nesting in.

Related Species:
ORDER: Passeriformes
FAMILY: Corvidae
GENUS: Corvus
SUBSPECIES: C. s. zugmayeri, C. s. splendens, C. s. maldevicus, C. s. protegatus, C. s. insolens

 - Sighting Locations -

MALAYSIA - Malay - Gagak Rumah ("Home Crow")

An abundant resident of urban areas.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Abundant throughout Malaysia, especially in Kuala Lumpur and Malacca
SINGAPORE - A common resident.

 - MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE 2016 TRIP: Several seen near Singapore Airport.

 - CAMBODIA/SINGAPORE 2019 TRIP:Several at Sungei Buloh

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)

OTHER NAMES: Hoodie, Scotch Crow, Danish Crow

Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") cornix ("crow")

Hooded Crow (subspecies Corvus cornix) at  Side, Antalya, Turkey - March 2025

Featured Subspecies:  Corvus cornix pallescens
Weight: 510g  /  Length: 48-52cm  /  Wingspan: 98cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Hooded Crow is a close relation of the Carrion Crow, and they they tend to be dispersed throughout Europe in such a way as that usually one species replaces the other in any one place with a bit of overlap.  In the British Isles, Hooded Crows are found in North West Scotland, the Isle of Man and Ireland, but the bulk of their range is throughout Eastern Europe.  I have made attempts to see vagrant Hooded Crows before, but this individual was seen at Vienna airport while waiting for a plane.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
Subspecies: C. c. cornix, C. c. pallescens, C. c. sharpii, C. c. capellanus

 - Sighting Locations -

AUSTRIA - Austrian: Nebelkrähe - "Fog Crow"

Common breeding resident

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP - STOPOVER: Two birds seen at Vienna Airport 

 - VIENNA 2024: Common throughout.

ITALY - Italian: Cornacchia Grigia ("Grey Crow")
An fairly common resident

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP -  Fairly common - seen at Capo Murro di Porco and Mount Etna.

TURKEY  -   Turkish:Başlıklı karga ("Noble Crow")
 - ANTALYA 2025 TRIP - Very common.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Large Billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos)

OTHER NAMES: Jungle Crow

Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") macrorhynchos ("great billed")

Adult Large Billed Crow (subspecies C. m. japonensis) at Kyoto Imperial Palace Gardens, Kyoto, Japan - July 2013

Featured Subspecies: Corvus macrorhynchos japonensis
Weight: 500-700g  /  Length: 46-59cm  /  Wingspan: 104cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Large-Billed Crow found in Japan is sometimes split into a separate species (Corvus japonensis) but as I can currently find fairly minimal support for this, I'm changing this article to reflect the original setup. - either way it is one of the common crows of Japan, being found in a broad range of habitats, both urban and rural much as the Carrion Crow does in Europe, although it also co-exists with that species.  It is pretty much the most easy species to come across in Japan of all birds short of the Feral Pigeon and Tree Sparrow.  Personally, I really like the sound these birds - it is a lot less harsh than that of Carrion Crows and echoes in a pleasing way, although in Japan they are regarded as a nuisance.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
Subspecies: C. m. intermedius, C. m. tibetosinensis, C. m. mandshuricus, C. m. japonensis, C. m. connectens, C. m. osai, C. m. levaillantii, C. m. culminatus, C. m. colonorum, C. m. macrorhynchos, C. m. philippinus

- Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ハシブトガラス  /  Hasgi-buto-garasu ("Thick-billed Crow")

Abundant throughout Japan.

 - KYOTO/OSAKA 2013 TRIP: Common throughout Kyoto, Osaka and Arashiyama

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Very common throughout Tokyo, Kushiro, Kamakura, Akkeshi and Shiranuka.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Common Raven (Corvus corax)

OTHER NAMES: Raven, Northern Raven, Corbie
Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") corax ("raven")

Adult Raven (subspecies C. c. sinatus) at Berkeley, Californial - August 2022

Featured Subspecies - Corvus corax sinatus
Weight: 165-230g  /  Length: 24-33cm  /  Wingspan: 50-73cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Raven is not only the largest passerine in the UK, but also, along with another species of Raven, the World. It is a huge, impressive bird which without close inspection might resemble a crow - it is however substantially larger (being bigger than a buzzard) and has a distinctive wedge shaped tail in flight. The other two major signs are the very heavy set bill compared to the other crows (which can be seen in my photograph) and more dramatically, it's "kronking" call which though not necessarily one of the most pleasant calls, is in my opinion one of the most powerful and dramatic calls, especially if you are walking on a high hillside somewhere. As for photography - the fact it's a big bird helps, just getting a good view is the challenge - unfortunately my first bird was seen as dusk with bad lighting.

As a side note, I have also recently seen a pair of Raven's over Geddington - given that these bird's have only just started to re-establish in the county after an absence of a hundred years, I hope this results in them breeding around the village in the coming years.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
Subspecies: C. c. principalis, C. c. sinuatus, C. c. clarionensis, C. c. varius, C. c. corax, C. c. hispanus, C. c. laurencei, C. c. subcorax, C. c. tingitanus, C. c. canariensis, C. c. tibetanus, C. c. kamtschaticus  

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A local but increasing resident breeding species (7400 pairs)

 - A locally reasonably common species seen at Trevose Head, St. Bee's Head, Derwent Water, and Haweswater. Roaming birds encountered on a few occasions at Geddington

UNITED STATES 
Range centred on the Rockies and Pacific Coast
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Roy's Redwoods, San Francisco and Berkeley

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius)

OTHER NAMES: Jay
Latin Etymology: Garrulus ("chattering") glandarius ("of acorns")

Adult Eurasian Jay (subspecies G. g. jordansi) at Siracusa, Italy - May 2018

Featured Subspecies: Garrulus glandarius jordansi
Weight: 160g  /  Length: 32-36cm  /  Wingspan: 56cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Out of the generally bold crow family, the jay is a bit of an anomaly - firstly it is not black, but in fact quite a colourful woodland bird with a brilliant iridescent blue patch. In contrast to this, it is actually a very secretive bird, and if you encounter it in the countryside, the best you are likely to see is it flying away from you in the opposite direction. For much better views, I strongly recognise parks in Cities, the Jays I've encountered in London are not easier to see, at times they aren't bothered by you at all. Listen out for their distinctive raucous call to tell when they are nearby.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Garrulus
Subspecies: G. g. rufitergum, G. g. hibernicus, G. g. hibernicus, G. g. severtzowi, G. g. lusitanicus, G. g. fasciatus, G. g. corsicanus, G. g. albipectus, G. g. jordansi, G. g. ichnusae, G. g. graecus, G. g. cretorum, G. g. glaszneri, G. g. fernandi, G. g. minor, G. g. cervicalis, G. g. whitakeri, G. g. atricapillus, G. g. anatoliae, G. g. samios, G. g. iphigenia, G. g. krynicki, G. g. hyrcanus, G. g. japonicus, G. g. tokugawae, G. g. hiugaensis, G. g. orii, G. g. namiyei, G. g.s sinensis, G. g. taivanus, G. g. persaturatus, G. g. bispecularis, G. g. interstinctus, G. g. oatesi, G. g. leucotis, G. g. haringtoni  

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Fairly common resident breeding species (170,000 territories) 

 - Birds seen at a number of sites including Regent's Park and Geddington.  

ITALY - Italian -  Ghiandaia

A common resident.

 - SICILY 2018 TRIP - Seen at Syracuse     

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)

OTHER NAMES: Crow, Corbie, Gor Crow

Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") corone ("crow")

Left: Adult Carrion Crow (subspecies C. c. corone) at Regent's Park, London - April 2010

Right: Adult Carrion Crow (subspecies C. c. orientalis) at Akan Crane Centre, Hokkaido, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: Corvus corone corone AND Corvus corone orientalis
Weight: 370-650g  /  Length: 45-47cm  /  Wingspan: 93-104cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The carrion crow is probably the most visible of the already (mostly) highly visibly crow family, it can be found across a wide number of habitats, but it probably most easily seen in parks and towns. In my experience, the best views are actually built up areas where the birds have become accustomed to scavenging from humans, for instance, the car parks of service stations. How approachable they are varies depending on population, with crows from more urban areas seeming less flighty than their more rural counterparts. The photo here was taken in London where I was able to get to within a few feet of the bird, whereas the previous photo taken in Bewick-Upon-Tweed was from a greater distance of a more flighty set of birds.  Internationally - in Austria they are at the edge of the Hooded and Carrion Crow range, so both are found, while in Japan it is less common in most places than the ubiquitous Large-billed Crow, but more common in Hokkaido.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
Subspecies: C. c. corone, C. c orientalis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Very common resident (1,000,000 territories)

 - Birds seen at most sites including but not limited to Rutland Water, Trevose Head, Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park,Kensington Gardens, Pitsford Reservoir and Geddington.

AUSTRIA - Common breeding resident

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP - STOPOVER: Several birds around Vienna Airport 

JAPAN - Japanese - ハシボソガラス  / Hashi-boso garasu ("Slender-billed Crow")

Locally common resident.

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: A few seen around Hokkaido including Akan Crane Centre, Kushiro and Shiranuka

SPAIN - Spanish - Corneja negra ("Black crow")
A fairly common resident.

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: A few seen around Monfrague National Park.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Rook (Corvus frugilegus)

OTHER NAMES: Barefaced Crow, Craw
Latin Etymology: Corvus ("raven") frugilegus ("crop-picking")

Adult Rook (subspecies C. f. frugilegus) at Geddington, Northants - January 2022

Featured Subspecies: Corvus frugilegus frugilegus
Weight: 340-530g  /  Length: 45-47cm  /  Wingspan: 80-90cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Rooks are primarily a countryside species, and the most impressive views of them are undoubtedly seeing a huge raucous flock of them rising from their rookeries, particularly in winter when there are no leaves to obscure the view. That being said, better for photographic purposes are the occasions when they forage on fields, either for food or nesting material. More wary than crows, the best time to photograph them is from behind cover as the groups can more easily spot people approaching and get spooked.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
Subspecies: C. f. frugilegus, C. f. pastinator 

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Common resident breeding species (1,100,000 pairs)

 - Birds seen most often around Geddington, Rutland Water and assorted other rural locations.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)

OTHER NAMES: Magpie, Chattermag, Margaret's Pie

Latin Etymology: Pica ("magpie") pica ("magpie")

Young Eurasian Magpie (subspecies P. p. pica) at Hampstead Heath, London - July 2011

Local Name (Spain): Urraca

Featured Subspecies: Pica pica pica

Weight: 180g

Length: 44-46cm

Wingspan: 60cm

UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Magpie is a very common and distinctive member of the crow family - the only member in the UK to have a long tail and regularly any amount of white on its body. Found equally easy in city as countryside, it can however provide a slightly disproportionate challenge to photograph (although still very easily) as it can be a bit of a twitchy bird that will fly away when you get too close. Widely associated with folklore, it has an anecdotal reputation as a thief of jewelry and other shiny objects and in the United Kingdom is the subject of the superstition / nursery rhyme "one for sorrow, two for joy...". 

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes 

Family: Corvidae

Genus: Pica 

Subspecies: P. p. pica, P. p. fennorum, P. p. galliae, P. p. melanotos, P. p. mauretanica, P. p. asirensis, P. p. bactriana, P. p. hemileucoptera, P. p. leucoptera, P. p. camtschatica, P. p. bottanensis, P. p. serica

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Abundant resident (600,000 territories)

 - Seen in many places including Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes, Regent's Park, Kensington Gardens, Pitsford Reservoir and Geddington.

SPAIN - Scarce and Local Resident

 - SEVILLE 2011 TRIP: A few birds seen at El Rocio          

Further Notes: Arkive, BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .