That large, entirely black bird walking across the soccer field with a confident strut is an American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Look closely in sunlight and the black feathers throw back a faint purple and blue sheen.
What it looks like
Adults are about 43cm long, fully black from beak to feet, including the legs and eyes. The body is stocky with a thick straight bill and a squared-off, fan-shaped tail that helps separate it from the smaller, wedge-tailed fish crow. In flight the wings beat steadily and evenly, never gliding for long. Up close the plumage looks glossy, with green and violet highlights when the light is right.
When and where
- Season: Year round across the region.
- Habitat: Open lawns, parks, farm fields, parking lots, and woodland edges. They follow people because people leave food behind.
- Best time: Mid-morning, when family groups forage together on the ground.
Smarter than they look
American crows are among the most intelligent birds in the world. They can recognize individual human faces and remember a person who once bothered them for years, even teaching their young to scold that same person. They use simple tools, drop hard nuts onto roads for cars to crack, and live in tight family groups where last year's young help raise the new chicks.
Spot one this weekend
American crows are Common in every town, park, and field. Listen for the loud, clear "caw caw caw" and follow it to a treetop or a group walking on open grass. If one crow starts scolding loudly, scan nearby for a hawk or owl, since crows love to gang up on bigger predators.