Crow, Tamaulipas

Physical Features

The Tamaulipas Crow is a rare sleek looking crow with very glossy plumage, which is very soft and silky looking. It has a black, slim bill, and similarly colored legs and feet. It is a relatively small bird, averaging 34-38 cm/14-16 inches in length and weighs between 227-255g/8-9 ounces.

Habitat

The Tamaulipas Crow lives in arid scrubland and bush, and is also found on farms, in small towns and villages within its range. Populations also exist in moist woodland, mostly within open spaces. They are rarely sighted in the higher mountains or along seashores. This Tamaulipas Crow's range extends primarily through the Tamaulipas region of Mexico, reaching into extreme southern Texas and into the lower Rio Grande Valley. It is common within its range, but its range is very limited.

Diet

The Tamaulipas Crow scavenges in garbage, walking and hopping on the ground as it forages. It also feeds on carrion, insects, and seeds. Like other members of the Crow family, Tamaulipas Crow also feed on other birds' eggs in addition to berries, fruits and nuts.

Meat

Tamaulipas Crow meat is dark colored with a distinctive smell and flavor, with a taste comparable to that of chicken.

Behavior

The Tamaulipas Crow is social in nature, flocking in large groups and moving together in close quarters. Male and females pair up and mate for life. The female lays four to five blue or bluish-gray eggs with brown or olive buff streaks. Her nest is made of sticks and plant fibers, lined with softer materials, and suspended on a tree, where she incubates her eggs for 17 to 18 days before they hatch. At first, the female broods the chicks continuously and then helps the male search for food for the chicks. The chicks move out of the nest onto nearby branches at first and begin to fledge at about 4-5 weeks. The Tamaulipas Crow's call is a shrill 'craw' or 'khurr', or sometimes a shrieking 'creow.' It sometime makes a low guttural croak similar to that of a frog. Other species that are similar to the Tamaulipas Crow include the Chihuahuan Raven that is larger with a wedge-shaped tail. The American Crow is slightly larger than the Tamaulipas Crow, but best distinguished by voice. The Great-tailed Grackle is also similar to the Tamaulipas Crow, but has white yellow eyes, a longer keel-shaped tail, and purple sheen.

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