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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