Tamaulipas Crow
Encyclopedia
The Tamaulipas Crow a crow
found in northeastern Mexico and some of southern Texas
.
, which appears soft and silky. The bill is quite slender and black, as are the legs and feet. The Chihuahuan Raven
, a much larger and very different bird, is the only crow it commonly occurs alongside.
(Corvus sinaloae) appears to be genetically extremely close to this bird and can be considered the western form of it though the voice is quite different, indeed a third species, the Fish Crow
(Corvus ossifragus) of the southeastern United States
appears to be very closely related to them also and the three may be considered a superspecies
.
, it inhabits near desert scrub and bushland and includes farms, small towns and villages in its range. It also occurs in more humid woodland in open areas but does not appear to be found in the higher mountains or along the seashore. It is a sociable bird often forming large flocks, moving together in close groups. Its northern range reaches Brownsville
in southern Texas
where it has been known to nest.
but smaller and is built in a tree or large bush.
Crow
Crows form the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-size jackdaws to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents and several...
found in northeastern Mexico and some of southern Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
Description
It is a relatively small and sleek looking crow, 34–38 cm (13.4–15 in) in length. It has very glossy dark, bluish plumagePlumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
, which appears soft and silky. The bill is quite slender and black, as are the legs and feet. The Chihuahuan Raven
Chihuahuan Raven
The Chihuahuan Raven , is a species of bird in the family Corvidae that is native to the United States and Mexico. It was formerly known as the American White-necked Raven, and has the proportions of a Common Raven with a heavy bill, but is about the same size as a Carrion Crow, or slightly larger...
, a much larger and very different bird, is the only crow it commonly occurs alongside.
Taxonomy
The Sinaloan CrowSinaloan Crow
The Sinaloa Crow is a crow native to western Mexico. Visually, it is nearly identical to and the same length as the Tamaulipas Crow . It has the same purple-glossed, silky, black plumage with a black bill, legs, and feet...
(Corvus sinaloae) appears to be genetically extremely close to this bird and can be considered the western form of it though the voice is quite different, indeed a third 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) of the southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
appears to be very closely related to them also and the three may be considered a superspecies
Superspecies
A superspecies is a group of at least two more or less distinctive species with approximately parapatric distributions. Not all species complexes, whether cryptices or ring species are superspecies, and vice versa, but many are...
.
Distribution and habitat
Occurring in a relatively small area in northeastern MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, it inhabits near desert scrub and bushland and includes farms, small towns and villages in its range. It also occurs in more humid woodland in open areas but does not appear to be found in the higher mountains or along the seashore. It is a sociable bird often forming large flocks, moving together in close groups. Its northern range reaches Brownsville
Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville is a city in the southernmost tip of the state of Texas, in the United States. It is located on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, directly north and across the border from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brownsville is the 16th largest city in the state of Texas with a population of...
in southern Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
where it has been known to nest.
Diet
Food would appear to be mainly insects taken on the ground though eggs and nestlings are taken in trees as well as many fruits and berries.Nesting
The nest is similar to the American CrowAmerican 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...
but smaller and is built in a tree or large bush.
