A coastal corvid that favors waterfronts on the eastern and southern coasts, the Fish Crow comes inland more often as the years pass. The only way to really know the difference between this crow and the American Crow, is the higher pitched voice, and it tends to vocalize what sounds like "nuh-uh." It is also a little smaller than the American Crow, but unless the two are next to one another, it is impossible to tell, unless the voice comes into play. Juvenile American Crows can be heard from late spring through August to September, and they can sound like an adult Fish Crow. They usually tend to be near a nesting site with adults in the area.
Less widespread than its larger cousin, who will summer in Canada, it doesn't fear humans and is frequently found in semisuburban regions. It is also more tolerant of being photographed. If actually compared between the two species the legs are shorter and the upper feathers have more pronounced body to them. There is also a distinctive hook to the bill. The tail is slightly longer and they seem to hover and soar more than the American Crow would. If observed in flight and on foot, it appears to have a boa around the neck through posturing of the body. Feathers also appear glossier, with a greenish or blue tinge.
Boomer Creek
March 2016
Expect them to be in areas where known heron rookeries are present, for they enjoy their eggs and nestlings, which is likely why they are found in Stillwater frequently during heron nesting season. They cluster around Meridian Technology, Sanborn Lake, and Boomer Lake Park.
They appear to be showing range expansion in both the north and east, and they tend to breed from April through June.
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