The common crow through most of lowland America. Commonest in agricultural areas. Scavenges on garbage dumps but found just about anywhere. Out of breeding season, often forms huge night roosts in urban areas. In daytime, found alone or in loose groups. Feeds mostly on the ground, walking with a purposeful strut. When necessary, speeds up to a hopping jog. Around food, such as a carcass, numbers will build, birds often having to wait their turn behind vultures. Eats eggs and chicks, so it is always being chased �out of town.� May show pale patches at base of flight feathers when it is in wing molt. ID: Much individual and regional variation, making ID from similar FICR tricky. Call, a familiar caw, is the best way to separate them. AMCR is larger, with longer legs and bill and rangier gait but differences subtle. With good light and views feathers look scaly; freshly molted birds have glossy upperparts and broad, black fringes contrasting with dull nape (FICR unicolored). In flight, longer neck, broader-based and more rounded wings� FICR is smaller, more compact. Juv: uniformly dull brown with pink gape (briefly). 1st-yr: worn juv feathers contrast with newer adult feathers creating a patchwork.