Crows are intelligent and adaptable birds found all over the world. The fish crow (Corvus ossifragus) is a species found predominantly in the southeastern United States near bodies of water. Their name comes from their frequent feeding on fish, but fish are not their only source of sustenance. Here we’ll explore what fish crows eat and their fishing behaviors.
Do Fish Crows Eat Fish?
Yes, fish crows do eat fish. In fact, fish can make up over half of their diet. Fish crows are most often seen feeding along shorelines and water edges looking for dead fish that have washed up or discarded bits of fish from fishing docks and boats. They also forage in shallow water to catch small live fish.
Fish crows have several adaptations that help them utilize fish as a food source:
- Serrated beaks allow them to tear apart fish flesh.
- Strong legs and feet enable them to stand in shallow water while hunting.
- Excellent eyesight helps them spot fish near the surface.
In addition to scavenging dead fish and catching live ones, fish crows will also steal fish from other birds like herons and egrets. They are resourceful omnivores and fish are a key part of their varied diet.
What Other Foods Do Fish Crows Eat?
While fish are a primary food source, fish crows will eat a wide variety of other foods as well. Their diverse diet includes:
- Insects and other invertebrates
- Frogs, salamanders, snakes
- Eggs and nestlings of other birds
- Small mammals like mice and voles
- Carrion from roadkill and other carcasses
- Seeds, grains, fruits, and nuts
- Human trash and scraps
Fish crows are skilled generalist foragers and scavengers. They utilize a broad range of food sources by probing soil, gleaning fields, hunting in water, and scavenging. This adaptable diet allows them to thrive in both freshwater and saltwater wetland environments.
How Do Fish Crows Catch Fish?
Fish crows employ a variety of clever techniques to catch fish:
- Standing in shallow water and craning their necks to spear fish with their serrated beaks.
- Wading along shorelines to grab dead or injured fish that have washed up.
- Walking along docks and boats to steal bait fish and scraps discarded by people.
- Dipping food in water to bait fish near the surface.
- Robbing fish from larger birds like herons and egrets.
- Probing under vegetation and debris for hiding fish.
Fish crows are intelligent and social birds. They often forage for fish in large family groups, with each crow taking advantage of the group’s collective ability to spot fish. By sharing food sources, they maximize their feeding efficiency.
Fishing Adaptations
Fish crows have several key adaptations that allow them to utilize fish so effectively:
- Serrated beaks – The small, hooked teeth on their beaks help them grip slippery fish and tear apart flesh.
- Claws – Sharp claws provide a strong grip on fish at the water’s surface.
- Excellent vision – Their near-binocular vision allows detailed viewing into water to spot lurking fish.
- Leg and foot strength – Strong legs and feet enable wading into shallow waters to hunt and stand firmly while spearing fish.
- High intelligence – Advanced problem-solving skills let them adapt fishing strategies like baiting and stealing from other birds.
- Opportunism – They’ve learned to take advantage of fish scraps from people, expanding feeding opportunities.
Do Fish Make Up a Large Part of Their Diet?
Yes, fish are a primary component of fish crows’ diets. Studies have found that:
- In inland habitats, over 50% of their diet can be fish.
- In coastal habitats, over 60% of their diet can be fish.
- The percentage of fish in their diet is higher near large bodies of water.
- They eat more plant matter including grains and fruits when away from water sources.
However, since they are omnivores fish crows still consume a wide variety of other foods. The high proportion of fish in their diet gives them their common name.
Differences From American Crows
Fish crows are closely related to the familiar American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) but have some notable differences:
Fish Crow | American Crow |
---|---|
Smaller size | Larger size |
Dark eye | Blue or hazel eye |
Feeds heavily on fish | More varied omnivore |
Coastal distribution | Found everywhere |
Nasal “ah-ha” call | Harsher “caw” call |
Understanding these differences can help identify the species. Fish crows also associate with American crows, often feeding and roosting in mixed flocks.
Conclusion
In summary, while fish crows are resourceful omnivores, fish make up a major part of their diet, especially when near water. Their specialized adaptations allow them to prey on fish exceptionally well. However, they remain flexible and opportunistic feeders. Their varied diet and intelligence allow fish crows to flourish near waterways across the southern coastal United States.