Hooded Crow or House Crow?

General appearance

Meet the hooded crow! A dazzling avian species with an absolutely enchanting appearance. Recognizable by a dark grey body contrasted with a glossy black head, throat, wings, and tail. The hooded crow flaunts a gorgeous plumage that shines in varying hues under the sunlight. They're medium-sized birds, standing tall at around 48cm with a wingspan up to 100cm - impossible to miss in the wild!

Male vs female

Moving on to the tricky task of distinguishing between males and females- it's quite a challenge! You see, there are no visual differences between the sexes! Both male and female hooded crows exhibit the same majestic blend of grey and black plumage. In fact, the only surefire way to tell them apart is during the breeding season when only females will be seen incubating eggs.

Juvenile

Onto the adorable juveniles, which start out with a rather duller color palette. Their plumage lacks the striking glossy finish of the adults, appearing more sooty black than glossy. Juveniles also host blue eyes instead of the brown seen in adults. But don't fret, with time, they grow into their stunning adult colors and truly become a sight to behold!

Primary habitat

The Hooded Crow mainly inhabits northern and eastern Europe, and parts of the Middle East. It prefers open and agricultural areas, and thrives in coastal regions.

Additional range

Although unusual, Hooded Crows can also be found in urban areas, adapting to live in parks and gardens.

Natural diet

The hooded crow is an omnivorous bird with a diverse diet. In its natural habitat, it feeds on small mammals, eggs, and chicks of birds, as well as various invertebrates like insects and worms. Additionally, it consumes fruits, seeds, and grains. Scavenging is another crucial part of its diet, often feeding on carrion and discarded food waste.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, hooded crows are adaptable and will often consume a variety of offerings. They are attracted to suet, sunflower seeds, and peanuts. Occasionally, they may consume bread scraps and other household leftovers made available by people. Their opportunistic nature allows them to exploit these anthropogenic food sources effectively.