Crows are mainly known for their cheeky nature. But they are also very intelligent but also very noisy. Crows have adapted well to the human environment. Crows are not picky about food, animal and vegetable food is eaten with taste. In addition, they can sometimes bother people with their brutal behavior.
Hooded crow
(Corvus cornix)
The Hooded Crow is a rare sight in the Netherlands. There are therefore only a few breeding pairs. Not so long ago the Hooded Crow and the Carrion Crow were counted among the same species. The construction and size, 44 to 51 cm, are therefore the same. The Hooded Crow, the name says it all, is only colorfully colored. The wings, head and tail are colored black, as are its legs and beak. The rest of its body is gray to gray-brown in color. Most hooded crows live further north or east than the carrion crow. There are many mixed breeding pairs in the areas where both species live. The Hooded crows that also breed in the Netherlands usually have a Carrion crow as partner. The offspring of such a pair have similarities of both parents. Usually the gray is darker on the hooded crow and they have more black on their chests.
Magpie
(Pica pica)
Magpies are known as predators of young birds and eggs. This is mainly because the Ekster is mainly active during the day. But most of their food is insects, worms, waste and carrion. In winter, mainly seeds and fruits are eaten. The Magpie is a striking bird. They are 40 to 51 cm in size. They are easily recognized by their black plumage with bright white parts. The head is completely black and the tail is remarkably long. The black parts have a green or blue sheen. Unlike most corvids, the Magpie hops around on the ground instead of just walking around. Magpies’ nests are messy, made of branches, with an entrance on the side. Between the branches is actually the real nest, which consists of plants and soil. There are about 50,000 breeding pairs spread across the Netherlands. This number has decreased slightly.
Jay
(Garrulus glandarius)
De Gaai is the most colorful of the corvids in the Netherlands. They are 32 to 35 cm in size. Their plumage in gray-brown color with a slightly lighter face. They have a distinct black mustache stripe and the tail is black too. The rump is white. The most striking part of the Jay is its wings. They are black with some white and some blue with black striped feathers. The Jay is easy to recognize because of its distinct colors. De Gaai can be found in wooded areas. Its staple food is nuts and fruits. He builds up a winter stock in the winter, but cannot find everything. In this way, the Jay plays an important role in the expansion of forests. In winter, the jay often lives in small groups, with the birds often flying one by one to another tree. There are about 50,000 breeding pairs spread across the Netherlands. Their number is increasing slightly.
Chew
(Corvus monedula)
The Jackdaw is the smallest species of the Crows, measuring 30 to 34 cm. But they are the most common corvids in our country with about 200,000 breeding pairs and this number is increasing. The Jackdaw is completely dark gray to black in color, only the back of the head is lighter gray in color. They have a striking iris, which is white in color. The Jackdaw’s call is also different from the other corvids. Instead of the recognizable scratching that most corvids make, a Jackdaw sounds more like kjack, kjack. They normally live in pairs but now and then they form large flocks, regularly with other crows species. The nest is made of branches and is built on tall buildings and on chimneys. Chews are social birds. The male and female also live together outside the breeding season and stay together throughout their lives. Chews have adapted well to humans. They occur in large numbers in the cities.
Raven
(Corvus corax)
The Raaf is not very common in the Netherlands. There are currently about 100 breeding pairs, but this number is increasing. The Raven is a large bird. They are between 54 to 67 cm in size. The wingspan covers no less than 120 cm. The Raaf is completely black in color. Its tail is wedge-shaped and its beak is large and heavy. The neck appears thicker because of the slightly swollen throat feathers. The Raven is very similar to the Carrion Crow, but it is clearly larger and has a heavier beak. The Raven has a large territory. Outside the breeding season the raven makes great wanderings. He’s not picky about food because he eats everything.
Until the end of the 18th century, De Raaf still brooded in all Dutch provinces, but persecution of man wiped out the bird in the late 1940s. The bird has been released again with some success. From 1966 until now the breeding pairs have increased again, currently there are a few dozen breeding pairs again.
The raven is common in myths and sagas. For example, the Germanic supreme god Wodan was kept informed by ravens about what was happening in the world. The raven was seen as the bringer of mischief like the plague. These stories about the raven are one of the main reasons the bird disappeared from the Netherlands.
Rook
(Corvus frugilegus)
The Rook is found in the North, East and South-East of the Netherlands with considerable numbers. There are currently 60,000 breeding pairs and this number is increasing considerably. The Rook is a large bird 41 to 49 cm tall. The plumage is completely black and has a slight shine. The beak is not triangular and gray in color. The lack of feathers around the base of the beak creates a light colored area that makes the beak appear larger. There are loose feathers hanging around the legs, making it seem that the bird is fatter. The Rook broods in colonies in the tops of tall trees. The nest consists of branches covered with grass and soil. The breeding colonies are usually used for years on end, with the nests being restored every year. Outside the breeding season, the Rook can almost always be seen in large or small groups.
Black Crow
(Corvus corone)
The Carrion Crow is a very common bird in the Netherlands. There are 100,000 breeding pairs bana and this number is increasing. The black crow is 44 to 51 cm tall and is completely black with a slight sheen. They have a black beak and the upper bill bends down at the tip. The Carrion Crow is regularly seen in pairs or small groups and only occasionally in large groups. The sound of the crow is sounds like crow, crow.
The male and female of the Zwarte kraai stay together all their lives. High in the tops of the trees the nest is made of branches. Like the raven, Carrion crows are omnivores. Their food consists mainly of insects and larvae of cockchafer beetles, but also eggs and birds. And if they can get them, small animals are also eaten.