The American Crow

The American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is the larger of the crows, measuring between 17 and 21 inches in length. This common black bird occupies much of North America and has adapted to man-made environments, moving from forest to farmlands to cities and living in a variety of habitats. There is no reason to worry about the American crow becoming endangered because it is very adaptable and is considered quite intelligent.

The black in the live bird’s feathers is produced by tiny particles of melanin within the feathers and on their surfaces. With the American crow, the surface is a deep black. In some cases, you will find slightly different colors, including violet, blue, or greenish-blue on the back, wings, and tail feathers.

The reference for the measured drawing and painting notes came from study skins provided by Eastern State University in Cheney, Washington.