The crows are of the family Corvidae, which includes Jays, Ravens, and Magpies. The Northern Raven is larger than the American crow and is often mistaken for the American crow. The Raven has a wedge-shaped tail, and a heavier bill, and the voice of the Raven is different from the crows. The American crow is a large perching black bird glossed with purplish color in the sunlight. Both the bill and the feet are black.
Crows fly with a steady rowing wingbeat.
They are a typical bird of the rural countryside and are not afraid to be around people. Their diet consists of mostly vegetable matter, like corn, wheat, oats, wild berries, and nuts. They may also eat insects, crayfish, snakes, lizards, mice, rats, young rabbits, other birds' eggs, and carrion. The American crow mates early in February, and during their nesting season the birds are quiet and secretive, remaining in solitary pairs. They build their nests out of sticks and twigs and line it with leaves, moss, hair, feathers, and grass.