Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Leading on from yesterdays topic; the Blackbird, another black bird, the Carrion Crow. This crow is the same species as the Hooded Crow, indeed they breed with one another and produce fertile offspring but the Hooded Crow is usually found far north. Distinguishable from the Raven because it's smaller and more common and from the Rook which has a white face patch and is much more social, usually seen in large groups. The Crow receives a lot of bad press. It has an unmelodious call and is famed for scavenging and egg stealing from gamebirds. I admire its pragmatism, they are incredibly successful mainly because their omnivorousness knows virtually no bounds. They will eat from insects, fruit, rubbish they have been known to pressurise birds of prey, even foxes into relinquishing their kills but this is rare. They are adaptable and  intelligent birds. One of the most cunning ways they have found to feed is dropping hard nuts from great heights onto roads to open them.