Backyard crows

Photos and Text by Wayne Pridemore

Seems like we have no crows around and then suddenly big flocks swoop in and take over the neighborhoods, perching in trees and calling to each other.


Most of us don't really appreciate the crow.

It is low on the cute scale, the sound of its cawing is not musical, and the scattered litter when it gets into our garbage is far from endearing.

They will eat almost anything - typically earth worms, insects, and other small animals, road kill, seeds, fruit, and our pets' food.

"Hey - so much for road kill, the almond bar is open !"

So what species of crow is this dainty eater ?

Many will say that it is the American Crow, others that it is the Northwestern Crow.

The Northwestern Crow (Corvus caurinus) is usually defined as along the immediate coastline from Southeast Alaska through British Columbia and northwestern Olympic Peninsula of Washington.

It is supposed to be smaller than the American Crow.

Other birding experts will state that there is no such species as the Northwest Crow, the two are one and the same.

"As for me, I say who cares ? "

My backyard crows are intelligent, wary, here one moment, and gone the next.

They are social flock members who guard each others backs.