Whereas the time period “most clever” shall be questioned by some parrot house owners, a lifetime of working with birds in zoos and at residence leaves me in favor of granting a number of Corvids (crows, ravens, jays and their kin) that honor…no disrespect to the wonderful talents of different birds! My fascination with this fowl household started after I took in nestling American Crows and Blue Jays as a baby, and continued by way of work with their unique kin on the Bronx Zoo. In Japan, I used to be astounded by the tool-using wild Carrion Crows (please see article beneath). Among the many most fascinating of all is the amazingly-intelligent and curious Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix). Massive, lively and (very!) costly, Hooded Crows should not for everybody, however the skilled aviculturist can ask for no finer or extra responsive pet.
Table of contents
Hooded Crow Description
As soon as seen, this spectacular fowl won’t be forgotten. The top, wings, chest and tail are clad in typical Corvid shiny black, which is nicely-offset by the sunshine to darkish grey plumage (generally un-flatteringly described as “soiled gray”!) overlaying the remainder of the physique. It reaches almost 2 toes in size, and sports activities a powerful wingspan of 36 to 40 inches. Lengthy thought-about to be a colour variant of the Carrion Crow (C. corone), the Hooded Crow is now acknowledged as a definite species. 4 subspecies have been described.
Vary and Habitat
The Hooded Crow’s large vary extends from Nice Britain to western Asia (the western fringe of the vary just isn’t well-defined) and from simply south of the Arctic Circle to the southern coast of the Mediterranean. These populations that migrate in winter attain northern India, southern China, Iran and Afghanistan.
Hooded Crows appear to favor open forests and wooded scrub, however are very adaptable, colonizing farms, villages, brushy grasslands, desert fringes and cliffside forests at 3,000 toes or extra above sea degree.
Breeding
Though usually described as “stick nests”, these constructed by the Hooded Crow are literally very advanced buildings. The muse is normally of quick, stout sticks, however animal bones could also be included – in some areas, this behavior has given rise to some odd superstitions, as may be imagined! A number of distinct layers are positioned over the inspiration, with moss, grasses and roots used as binding supplies. The interior cup-like space is lined with feathers, fur, wool and/or discarded rags and the like.
The eggs, numbering 2-7, hatch in 18-20 days, and the chicks fledge at 4-5 weeks of age.
Hooded Crows as Pets
Even informal remark of untamed people will reveal crows to be unusually clever. In actual fact, latest research have proven their tool-making and problem-solving talents to be on par with these of some nice apes (please see articles linked beneath).
Like most if not all of its kin, Hooded Crows are wonderful mimics, and readily copy sounds and phrases. Naturally social, crows rapidly bond to their house owners and will even study to reply to easy instructions. Though they’ll turn into fairly daring – free-ranging pets typically torment canines, cats and human guests alike – their nice intelligence is accompanied by a delicate nature. For all their toughness, Hooded Crows are simply burdened by unkind habits (actual or perceived!) on the a part of their house owners…and they won’t forgive or overlook!
As is true for younger kids, their lively minds have the capability for each studying and mischief. Certainly, Hooded Crows appear pushed to govern, and if potential destroy, something they’ll get their highly effective beaks upon. That is an outgrowth of their pure habits, and can’t be “skilled” away. Hooded Crows ought to by no means be left at giant in a room that’s not fully “crow-proofed”. Earlier than permitting your fowl entry to a room, undergo it as in case you have been about to launch a gang of toddlers, after which examine once more!
Housing
Hooded Crows are giant and really lively, and wish loads of flight house. A custom-built or industrial outside aviary, or a properly-outfitted indoor room, is the one choice for a pet Hooded Crow. Industrial cages designed for even the most important macaws fall far wanting their wants.
Hooded Crows stored outside are usually very vigorous. Though they readily adapt to chilly climate, heated shelters ought to be out there throughout winter. Given their big selection, it’s seemingly that people from southern populations could also be considerably cold-sensitive, so attempt to decide your pet’s origin if potential. Indoors, Hooded Crows are greatest positioned the place they’ll observe folks…additionally they take an curiosity in televisions and cellphone conversations.
Even when offered satisfactory house, Hooded Crows will languish if not stimulated by toys, behavioral enrichment, and out-of-cage time. Every day interplay with folks is crucial if they’re to stay handle-able. Regarding dealing with, it have to be understood that the beak is a formidable weapon, and that even unintended accidents may be VERY extreme. It’s crucial to maintain one’s face and eyes out of attain, and to know that crows can’t be trusted on this regard. Please submit beneath for additional info on dealing with.
Weight loss plan
Though they take an extremely big selection of meals, Hooded Crows have distinct carnivorous leanings. Rodents, carrion, eggs and bugs type a big a part of the pure eating regimen.
Crow house owners have had success with diets based mostly on cat and canine meals, however I want a eating regimen much like that I’ve used for a lot of crows, magpies and jays in zoos. Industrial bird-of-prey eating regimen, into which I combine pigeon pellets and softbill meals, offers the majority of their meals consumption. I consider that entire mice or chicks and bugs are important in assuring correct calcium consumption and long run well being.
Tossing a handful of crickets or different bugs into your crow’s aviary is an excellent approach to preserve the fowl occupied. Canned grasshoppers, snails and different invertebrates can be utilized to offer crucial dietary selection. A variety of greens, chopped nuts, and fruits (in average quantities) also needs to be offered. Laborious-boiled eggs are an particularly favored deal with.
The Hooded Crow’s pure eating regimen accommodates an excellent variety of entire animals, and is probably going calcium-rich. Along with pink or grownup mice, pets ought to obtain calcium and vitamin/mineral dietary supplements. Pure daylight and full spectrum bulbs also needs to be offered.
Whereas the time period “most clever” shall be questioned by some parrot house owners, a lifetime of working with birds in zoos and at residence leaves me in favor of granting a number of Corvids (crows, ravens, jays and their kin) that honor…no disrespect to the wonderful talents of different birds! My fascination with this fowl household started after I took in nestling American Crows and Blue Jays as a baby, and continued by way of work with their unique kin on the Bronx Zoo. In Japan, I used to be astounded by the tool-using wild Carrion Crows (please see article beneath). Among the many most fascinating of all is the amazingly-intelligent and curious Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix). Massive, lively and (very!) costly, Hooded Crows should not for everybody, however the skilled aviculturist can ask for no finer or extra responsive pet.
Hooded Crow Description
As soon as seen, this spectacular fowl won’t be forgotten. The top, wings, chest and tail are clad in typical Corvid shiny black, which is nicely-offset by the sunshine to darkish grey plumage (generally un-flatteringly described as “soiled gray”!) overlaying the remainder of the physique. It reaches almost 2 toes in size, and sports activities a powerful wingspan of 36 to 40 inches. Lengthy thought-about to be a colour variant of the Carrion Crow (C. corone), the Hooded Crow is now acknowledged as a definite species. 4 subspecies have been described.
Vary and Habitat
The Hooded Crow’s large vary extends from Nice Britain to western Asia (the western fringe of the vary just isn’t well-defined) and from simply south of the Arctic Circle to the southern coast of the Mediterranean. These populations that migrate in winter attain northern India, southern China, Iran and Afghanistan.
Hooded Crows appear to favor open forests and wooded scrub, however are very adaptable, colonizing farms, villages, brushy grasslands, desert fringes and cliffside forests at 3,000 toes or extra above sea degree.