American crow

Ask a farmer or a birder in Manitoba about crows and you will get a strong opinion. They arrive in loose, noisy groups in March, walking across the thawed fields with a confident swagger. To the casual eye they are just black birds, but up close the feathers carry a faint purple-blue sheen in the sun.

Crows are among the most intelligent birds anywhere. Studies show they can recognize individual human faces, use simple tools, and pass that knowledge to their young. Family groups stay together, and young birds often help raise the next brood. Many crows head south for winter, but some stay through the cold, gathering at dusk in big communal roosts that can number in the hundreds.

I admire the sharp intelligence of an American crow, and how much character shows on a plain black bird.

Curious about the American crow and its habitat? Learn more on its page at All About Birds.

American crow Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the american crow in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more species in the Manitoba birds section.

Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.