Crows and jays · Perching birds
Hooded Crow
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Corvus cornix
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Voice
Call
Song
How to recognize it
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50 cm, larger than a jackdaw, stockier
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Ash-grey body; black head, throat, wings, tail
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Broad blunt wings, slow heavy straight flight
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Harsh "carr", walks with long strides
About the species
The hooded crow is a familiar city companion, easy to notice for its grey body and black head, wings, and tail. It looks sturdy and purposeful, and in flight its heavy, steady movement stands out.
It is watchful and quick to size up people, and it can remember those who feed it. On the ground it walks with long strides, then switches to hopping when it spots food or senses danger, and its voice is a rough, familiar caw.
It lives close to people in parks, squares, and other green places, and in winter it often moves toward the edges of towns and other food sources. It eats almost anything, from insects and small animals to seeds, scraps, and carrion, and in cities it is good at taking advantage of what is available and caching leftovers for later.
Did you know?
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Ant-acid parasite bath
Hooded crows dig open an ant hill and freeze above it, letting the ants douse their plumage with acid that kills parasites.
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Tag-team dog-fur heist
Hooded crows team up to pluck a shedding dog: one or two birds distract it from the front while a third sneaks in from behind, snatches a tuft of fur from the tail or back, and darts away.
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Crusts crushed by tram
Hooded crows lift shells into the air and drop them on stones, while stale crusts they soak in a puddle or lay on the tram rails so the tram crushes the treat for them.
Where to find
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In mature city parks and courtyard trees, where Hooded Crow calls from the canopy and keeps watch from the treetops.
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Along canal banks, pond edges, and river paths with scrubby margins — often walking the waterline or dunking bread in puddles.
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Near bins, outdoor cafe terraces, and market squares — quick to pick up crumbs and food scraps.
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On roofs, lamps, and wires above open squares — easy to spot as a grey-and-black silhouette with a rough call.
