# Crow (*Corvus brachyrhynchos*) > The American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a large, glossy-black songbird found across farmland, woodland, parks, and cities in North America. It weighs 300–600 g, spans 85–100 cm across the wings, and ranks among the most intelligent of all birds. Crows are opportunistic omnivores that live in tight family groups and typically survive 7–8 years in the wild, though some reach 16 or more. - **Category:** Bird - **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern - **Range:** Fields, woodlands, parks, and cities across the United States and Canada. - **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/crow/ - **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16 ## Scientific classification - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Passeriformes - **Family:** Corvidae - **Genus:** Corvus ## Facts at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Scientific name | Corvus brachyrhynchos | | Diet | Omnivore (grain, insects, carrion, scraps) | | Habitat | Farmland, woodland, parks, cities | | Lifespan | 7–8 years wild (up to 16+) | | Weight | 300–600 g (11–21 oz) | | Wingspan | 85–100 cm (33–39 in) | | Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) | ## Intelligence and problem-solving Crows are among the smartest animals on the planet, with problem-solving abilities that rival those of some primates. They fashion and use simple tools, remember individual human faces for years, and can hold what looks like a grudge against people who have threatened them. Captive and wild birds have both been recorded dropping hard-shelled nuts onto roads so that passing cars crack them open, then waiting for a safe gap in traffic to retrieve the food. ## Diet and foraging The crow is a true generalist, eating grain, insects, earthworms, carrion, eggs, small animals, and human scraps. This flexible menu is a big reason the species thrives everywhere from remote fields to busy city centres. Crows cache surplus food, hiding it under leaves or in bark crevices to recover later, and they watch other birds closely to steal from poorly hidden stores. Around rubbish bins and car parks they have learned to exploit almost any edible waste people leave behind. ## Family life and roosts Crows are highly social and often live in extended family groups, with young from previous years helping their parents raise the next brood. Outside the breeding season, thousands may gather at communal night roosts, streaming in from miles around at dusk. These roosts offer safety in numbers and may help birds share information about good feeding sites. Family members preen one another and defend a shared territory throughout the year. ## Communication and calls The familiar harsh "caw" is only part of a crow's vocabulary, which includes rattles, clicks, and surprisingly soft, musical notes. Crows use different calls to raise the alarm, rally the group, or scold a predator, and they can recognise the individual voices of their relatives. When a hawk, owl, or cat appears, a mob of crows will gather to harass it noisily until it moves on. Some birds even mimic other species and mechanical sounds. ## Range and adaptability American crows are found across most of North America, absent only from the far north and the driest deserts. They readily colonise farmland, woodland edges, suburbs, and city parks, and their numbers have grown as they exploit human landscapes. Crows are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, reflecting a large and stable population. The species did suffer local declines from West Nile virus, but populations have largely recovered. ## Frequently asked questions ### How intelligent are crows? Crows are among the most intelligent birds known, capable of using tools, solving multi-step puzzles, and recognising individual human faces. Their reasoning skills are often compared to those of great apes, and they can plan ahead and remember hidden food for long periods. ### How long do crows live? Wild crows typically live about 7–8 years, though many survive well beyond that, with some reaching 16 or more. In captivity, protected from predators and disease, they can live even longer. ### What do crows eat? Crows are omnivores with an extremely varied diet, including grain, insects, worms, carrion, eggs, small animals, and human food scraps. This adaptability lets them thrive in farmland, woodland, and cities alike. ### Can crows really remember faces? Yes. Studies have shown that crows remember and react to specific human faces for years, especially people who have threatened or trapped them. They can even pass this recognition on to other crows, which then treat the same person as a threat. ### Why do crows gather in large groups? Outside the breeding season, crows form huge communal roosts that can number in the thousands. Gathering together offers protection from predators, warmth on cold nights, and possibly a way to share information about good feeding sites. ### What is the difference between a crow and a raven? Ravens are noticeably larger, with heavier bills, shaggy throat feathers, and a wedge-shaped tail in flight, while crows are slimmer with a fan-shaped tail. Ravens also give a deep croak rather than the crow's higher, sharper "caw." ## Sources - [IUCN Red List — Corvus brachyrhynchos.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Corvus%20brachyrhynchos&searchType=species) - [Animal Diversity Web — Corvus brachyrhynchos. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Corvus_brachyrhynchos/) - [Wikipedia — Crow.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_crow) --- Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/crow/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.