Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L. Brehm, 1822

American Crow

CLASSIFICATION

Main Group: Animal

Sublevel 1: Vertebrate

Sublevel 2: Bird

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Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Corvidae

Genus: Corvus

Species: Corvus brachyrhynchos

STATUS IN NEW ENGLAND

Origin: Native

Invasive, Pest, or Pathogen?: No

Rarity Designations: None

BIOLOGY/ECOLOGY

Feeding Type: Heterotroph

HABITAT

NOTES

Historically, American Crows were considered to be major agricultural pests; although the damage they cause to crops today is minor compared to that of starlings and blackbirds. Crows may be considered a nuisance or create health concerns when they roost in urban areas (Johnson, 1994). They are also known to predate eggs and nestlings of the federally-threatened Piping Plover (Warren, 2016).

Because of their pest status, American Crows did not receive any protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act until 1972. However, unlike other native, nongame species, American Crows may still be hunted for sport; but the hunting seasons for crows are now regulated.

PHOTOS OF Corvus brachyrhynchos

REFERENCES

Johnson, R.J. 1994. Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage - 1994. American Crows. Cooperative Extension Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska - Lincoln; U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Damage Control; Great Plains Agricultural Council Wildlife Committee. Available from: http://ncforestry.info/unl-extension/wildlife_damage/crows/american_crows.pdf.

Warren, D.J. 2016. Management of Predators at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, Massachusetts for the Enhancement and Protection of Threatened and Endangered Shore Nesting Birds. May 2016 - August 2016 Summary Report. Submitted to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. Prepared by David J. Warren, USDA, APHIS Wildlife Services. August 18, 2016.