Sinaloan Crow
Encyclopedia
The Sinaloa Crow is a crow native to western Mexico. 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.
It occurs on the Pacific slope from southern Sonora south to central Nayarit. {Also seen farther south in Manzanillo, Colima, as of 2011} (This range is shared by a number of "Northwest Mexican" endemic birds, like Elegant Quail
, Purplish-backed Jay
, and Rufous-bellied Chachalaca
.) 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.
Food is taken both on the ground and in trees. On the seashore it can be found turning over objects to find its food and it will take a wide range of invertebrates such as small shellfish, crab
s, and insects. Fruits of many types are also taken and eggs and nestlings are also on the menu when opportunity arises.
Often, this bird will nest in a thorny tree or a tall coconut
palm where its nest is said to be similar to the American Crow
though smaller.
The voice is radically different from the Tamaulipas Crow in that it is quite high-pitched, jay-like, and clear: "ceow". That of the Tamaulipas Crow is a surprisingly low, gruff, frog-like croak.
Another species, the Fish Crow
Corvus ossifragus from the southeastern seaboard of the United States
is also considered genetically very close to both this species and the Tamaulipas Crow Corvus imparatus and the three are now considered a "Superspecies".
Other names: When lumped with the Tamaulipas Crow, the more inclusive taxon was called Mexican Crow.
Tamaulipas Crow
The Tamaulipas Crow a crow found in northeastern Mexico and some of southern Texas.- Description :It is a relatively small and sleek looking crow, in length. It has very glossy dark, bluish plumage, which appears soft and silky. The bill is quite slender and black, as are the legs and feet...
(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.
It occurs on the Pacific slope from southern Sonora south to central Nayarit. {Also seen farther south in Manzanillo, Colima, as of 2011} (This range is shared by a number of "Northwest Mexican" endemic birds, like Elegant Quail
Elegant Quail
The Elegant Quail is a species of New World Quail endemic to Pacific-slope thornforest of northwestern Mexico, from southern Sonora to Nayarit.-References:* BirdLife International, 2011. . Accessed on July 16, 2011....
, Purplish-backed Jay
Purplish-backed Jay
The Purplish-backed Jay, Cyanocorax beecheii, is a bird of the crow family Corvidae, with purple feathers on its back and black feathers everywhere else. It is endemic to Mexico.-External links:* on the Internet Bird Collection...
, and Rufous-bellied Chachalaca
Rufous-bellied Chachalaca
The Rufous-bellied Chachalaca is a species of bird in the Cracidae family.It is found only in Mexico.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:...
.) 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.
Food is taken both on the ground and in trees. On the seashore it can be found turning over objects to find its food and it will take a wide range of invertebrates such as small shellfish, crab
Crab
True crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" , or where the reduced abdomen is entirely hidden under the thorax...
s, and insects. Fruits of many types are also taken and eggs and nestlings are also on the menu when opportunity arises.
Often, this bird will nest in a thorny tree or a tall coconut
Coconut
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, is a member of the family Arecaceae . It is the only accepted species in the genus Cocos. The term coconut can refer to the entire coconut palm, the seed, or the fruit, which is not a botanical nut. The spelling cocoanut is an old-fashioned form of the word...
palm where its nest is said to be similar to the American Crow
American Crow
The American Crow is a large passerine bird species of the family Corvidae. It is a common bird found throughout much of North America...
though smaller.
The voice is radically different from the Tamaulipas Crow in that it is quite high-pitched, jay-like, and clear: "ceow". That of the Tamaulipas Crow is a surprisingly low, gruff, frog-like croak.
Another species, the Fish Crow
Fish Crow
The Fish Crow is a species of crow that is associated with wetland habitats in the eastern and southeastern United States.-Taxonomy:The Fish Crow was first described by Alexander Wilson in 1812...
Corvus ossifragus from the southeastern seaboard of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
is also considered genetically very close to both this species and the Tamaulipas Crow Corvus imparatus and the three are now considered a "Superspecies".
Other names: When lumped with the Tamaulipas Crow, the more inclusive taxon was called Mexican Crow.
