Corvidae – Crows, jays & magpies

This family includes several species that are most familiar, being part of different human cultures.

Corvids generally have a robust build, medium to large-sized, strong bills, nostril bristles, and strong legs. Many of them are among the most intelligent and graceful birds.

The family shows cosmopolitan distribution occupying all the terrestrial habitats. These smart avian tool users are opportunistic feeders. The natural diet includes small animals/birds, fruits/berries, invertebrates, seeds, & carrion. Corvids are social, communal roosters. They are generally monogamous and form strong lifelong bonds, biparental care is common in most species, and some are cooperative breeders. Twenty-six species are threatened (mainly by habitat loss), and one is extinct.