Sinaloa Crow
Corvus sinaloae
Small glossy crow, common in northwest Mexico; endemic. Occurs in towns, villages, rubbish dumps, farmland, and semiopen areas with hedges and taller trees; often near water. Roosts locally in mangroves (at times in thousands). Social and usually in flocks, at times of hundreds. Most likely to be confused with male Great-tailed Grackle, which has pale eyes and longer and keel-shaped tail (shed in late-summer molt). Calls are high, nasal caws.
Identification
Visually, it is nearly identical to and the same length (34–38 cm) as the Tamaulipas crow (Corvus imparatus). It has the same purple-glossed, silky, black plumage with a black bill, legs, and feet. The two species differ markedly in voice.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Corvus sinaloae
- Authority
- Davis, LI, 1958
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Corvidae
- Genus
- Corvus
Range and habitat
It occurs on the Pacific slope from southern Sonora south to Manzanillo. The crow inhabits coastal regions where it forages on the seashore, semi-desert, open woodlands, river banks and hills up to 300 metres or more. It is very common around coastal towns and villages.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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