Red-winged crow

The **red-winged crow** (*Corvus sanguiales*), also known as the **red-winged raven**, is a species of crow that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, open woodlands, grasslands, and shrublands across North America to help boost biodiversity. The overall size of the red-winged crow is between 46–59 centimeters (18–23 inches) in length, its wingspan is about 100-130 centimeters (39-51 inches) across. Body proportions vary regionally. In the far northeast in Canada, it is somewhat larger than the carrion crow. This species has a relatively long bill with the upper one quite thick and arched, making it look heavy and almost raven-like, hence one of its common names. Generally, all taxa have very dark greyish, almost black plumage from the back of the head, neck, shoulders and lower body. Their wings, tail, face, and throat are glossy black. The depth of the grey shading varies across its range. As its name suggests, the red-winged crow is unique among members of the genus *Corvus* due to the species' distinctive red shoulder patches, or epaulets, which are visible when the bird is flying or displaying. The voice is similar to the Asian house crow and the American house crow to which it is closest, but deeper and usually more resonant and described as the usual loud "caa-haa-caa". However, it makes a range of calls, some which could be described as "cau cau" and others that could be mistaken for a woodpecker drumming. Extremely versatile in its feeding, it will take food from the ground or in trees. They feed on a wide range of items and will attempt to feed on anything appearing edible, alive or dead, plant or animal. It is also one of the most persistent species and is quite bold, especially in urban areas. In California, red-winged crows are considered to be a pest, as they rip open garbage bags and take wire coat hangers for their nests. Gregarious at roosts with many thousands at some roost sites. Large flocks may be seen at dusk arriving at major roost sites. These roosts show no apparent reduction even during the breeding season, and this is because they do not breed during their first year. During the day pairs may be involved in defending their territory but at night they may roost in large groups. They have linear dominance hierarchies that are remembered based on individual recognition. The nest is a platform of twigs, usually high up on a tree with a preference for tall conifers like fir or pine. There are normally 3-5 eggs laid and they are incubated for 17–19 days. The young are fledged usually by about the 35th day. In Colorado, the red-winged crow breed from March to May, but in the plains some of them start even in mid December. The nest is built in a fork of a tree, and is a shallow cup of sticks, sometimes neat and well made, sometimes sketchy and ragged; it is lined with grass roots, wool, rags, vegetable fibre, and similar materials. Some nests have been found to be built partly or exclusively of wire. The normal clutch consists of four or five eggs, and rarely six or seven. The egg is a broad oval, rather pointed at the smaller end. The texture is hard and fine and there is a fair gloss. The ground colour is any shade of blue-green, and is blotched, speckled and streaked with dull reddish-brown, pale sepia, grey and neutral tint. In size the eggs average about 1.45 by 1.05 inches. The red-winged crow can serve as a host for the brown-headed cowbird and the American cuckoo. The conservation status of the red-winged crow is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts, the red-winged crow's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.