Sinaloa crow

Sinaloa crow
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Corvidae
Genus:	Corvus
Species:	C. sinaloae
Binomial name
	Corvus sinaloae; Davis, 1958
	Range map of Corvus sinaloae

The Sinaloa crow (Corvus sinaloae) is a crow native to western Mexico.

Description

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.

Distribution 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.

Diet

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, crabs, and insects. Fruits of many types are also taken and eggs and nestlings are also on the menu when opportunity arises.

Breeding

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.

Voice

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.