A Guide to the Corvidae of North America

The Corvidae family includes some of the most intelligent birds on the planet. Common birds such as the American Crow, Common Raven, and Blue Jay belong to this fascinating family. 

In this guide, we’ll briefly explore the Corvidae family as a whole. Then we’ll dive into each species that lives in North America. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of the Corvidae of North America. 

Corvidae Family Overview 

No other bird family holds the number of myths, folktales, mysteries, and fears as the Corvidae. Perhaps it’s their cunningness that brought them to fame. Or, their loud ruckus calls that echo through the forest. Maybe it’s their striking confidence; their self-assurance as they loudly proclaim their spot in the sky. 

No matter the reason, they have a special connection to humans. Along with ancient myths and legends, biologists and naturalists have extensively studied the Corvidae family. Thousands of research papers document their incredible intelligence, genetics, foraging behavior, and social dynamics. 

So, who are these intriguing birds? Let’s meet the 18 species native to North America, including crows, ravens, jays, and magpies. 

Crows 

American Crow: Highly Intelligent Corvidae 

The American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) is a well-known member of the Corvidae family. These large and shiny black birds live across most of North America. 

Usually, you hear American Crows before you see them. Their hoarse, cawing voice can be heard in cities, neighborhoods, parks, beaches, fields, and semi-open woodlands. 

At dusk, the flock will join together to roost. They’ll fly one after the other, cawing loudly as they make their way to their favorite roosting trees.

Tamaulipas Crow: Corvidae of the Brownsville Landfill

The lesser-known Tamaulipas Crow (Corvus imparatus) inhabits the southernmost region of Texas and parts of Northeastern Mexico. 

They live in open areas near the gulf, preferring farms, ranches, and village areas. In the United States, this small crow is only seen at the Brownsville landfill in Texas. 

The Tamaulipas Crow is smaller than the American Crow and has a different call. These two Corvidae species do not have overlapping territories. C. imparatus is glossy black with a purple sheen on its head and shoulders. 

Fish Crow: An Inconspicuous Corvidae of the East Coast  

Nearly identical to the American Crow, the Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus) is hard to identify except for its nasal-ly call. Plus, they are generally smaller than American Crows. 

These two crow species will flock together. However, Fish Crows generally stay close to shorelines and marshes. They inhabit coastal areas along the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico. Their range extends from Massachusetts down to Louisiana. 

Ravens 

Common Raven: Most Widespread Corvidae  

In North America, the Common Raven (Corvus corax) is the largest Corvidae family member. They are about 21-27” with glossy black feathers, a large thick bill, and a wedge-shaped tail. 

The beautiful and alluring Raven has adapted to a variety of climates. You can find them far north in the subarctic climates of Canada or the hot deserts of the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. They prefer the western United States where they nest in cliffs and mountain forests. They live throughout most of Canada. 

From a distance, the Common Raven and American Crow are hard to differentiate. A raven is much larger than a crow. It has a larger and thicker bill with shaggy feathers around its throat. 

Chihuahuan Raven: The Raven of the Southern Desert 

Preferring open grasslands and deserts, the Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus) lives in Northern Mexico and parts of the Southwestern United States. This Raven is smaller than the Common Raven and has a smaller bill. 

The Chihuahuan Raven closely resembles the American Crow. You can differentiate between the two Corvidae species by habitat. American Crows avoid the arid south so they don’t share overlapping ranges. 

Jays

Blue Jay: Easiest Corvidae to Attract to a Feeder 

The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is one of the most common backyard birds in the Corvidae family. This beautiful bird has striking blue and white feathers and a prominent head crest. 

It is a well-known resident across most of the Central and Eastern United States and Canada. It isn’t found in the West. Its year-long range borders the Rocky Mountains and extends down through central Texas. 

The Blue Jay lives in a variety of habitats, including urban neighborhoods, city parks, meadows, grasslands, woodlands, and deep forests. 

Steller’s Jay: Expert Hawk Mimicker 

With their impressive crest and dark blue and black feathers, the Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) is certainly stellar. While the adjective ‘stellar’ is not their true common name, they live up to its definition in appearance and personality. 

This Corvidae family member lives in conifer and pine-oak forests in the mountainous West of North America. Like other jays, they imitate bird calls, including the cry of the Red-Shouldered Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk. 

Canada Jay: A Brave Jay of the West  

Also known as “Camp Robbers” the Canada Jay (Perisoreus canadensis) is a courageous bird of northern forests. This opportunistic jay will steal food from campers, or land on a generous hand offering it nuts. 

Their range extends throughout Canada, the Pacific Northwest, and spruce forests of the Rocky Mountains.  

The Canada Jay is light grey underneath and dark grey above. It has a white to grey-ish white neck band and forehead with a dark grey cap. Their coloring and head pattern can vary by region. 

Pinyon Jay: Highly Social Covidae

The Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) is a dusky blue-grey bird in the United States Great Basin region. They are nomadic within their range, moving in large flocks even during the breeding season. 

This Corvidae family member prefers sagebrush and pinyon-juniper woods. As their name implies, they rely on pinyon pine seeds for food throughout the year. 

Green Jay: The Tropical Corvidae of Texas

One of the most colorful birds in North America, the Green Jay (Cyanocorax yncasis) is a tropical Corvidae species in Southern Texas. Their range extends down the Eastern coast of Mexico. They prefer native brush and woodlands. 

The Green Jay is unmistakable with its yellowish-green back and belly. It has a blue-purple cap and black throat and eye patch.  

Scrub-Jays 

California Scrub-Jay: The ‘Blue Jay’ of The West Coast 

A common, year-long resident of the West Coast, the California Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica) lives in Washington down to Baja California. These Corvidae birds prefer oak woodlands, dry shrublands, and wooded suburbs. 

The California Scrub-Jay has a bright blue head (no head crest), blue wings, and a grey-white throat and belly. A streaked necklace borders the throat. It has a distinct grey spot on its back between the wings. 

Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay: The Desert Scrub-Jay  

Previously considered the California Scrub-Jay, the Woodhouse’s Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii) became its own species in 2016. This species is duller blue on the head and wings. It has more grey on its back and lacks the blue necklace of the California Scrub-Jay. 

The Woodhouse’s Scrub-Jay is less common than the California Scrub-Jay. It prefers more remote woodlands of pine, oak, and juniper. It lives in the dry lowlands of Nevada and the four-corner states down to Mexico. 

Florida Scrub-Jay: The Corvidae Exclusive to Florida 

The Florida Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) is only found in scrub oak ecosystems of Florida. They are on the federal endangered species list because habitat destruction has significantly impacted their small range. 

This interesting Corvidae species looks very similar to the California Scrub-Jay. It has a paler forehead and more white than grey on its back. 

Mexican Jay: A Homebody of the Southwest  

According to Audubon Field Guide, the Mexican Jay (Aphelocoma wollweberi) is one of the, “most sedentary bird species in North America.” 

They stay in their immediate breeding territory in Southeastern Arizona, adjacent New Mexico, and the Big Bend area of Texas. This Corvidae species’ range expands down throughout Mexico, where it is a common resident. 

The Mexican Jay is in the Scrub-Jay genus. As such, it has a similar appearance to the other Scrub-Jays. It lacks the white and blue necklace and has more dull grey on its neck and belly. 

Island Scrub-Jay: The Corvidae of Santa Cruz Island

A localized Corvidae species, the Island Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma insularis) lives only on Santa Cruz Island off the coast of Southern California. 

This species is closely related to the California Scrub-Jay, but is darker blue, larger, and has a thicker bill. 

Magpies 

Black-billed Magpie: Iconic Corvidae of the Western Landscape

The Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) is a common sight throughout the Central and Western United States and Canada. It is a large bird with a black hood and breast. It has white shoulders and underbelly with bluish-ish green hues on the tail and wings. In flight, it has white wing patches. 

This stunning Corvidae species prefers semi-open rangeland, farms, stream-side groves, and forests. 

Yellow-billed Magpie: The California Magpie  

The Yellow-billed Magpie (Pica nuttalli) closely resembles the Black-billed Magpie. As the name suggests, you can distinguish the Yellow-billed Magpie by its bright yellow beak. 

This magpie is only found in central California. It prefers open oak savannas, farms, ranches, and riverside groves. You can find these beautiful Corvidae family members nesting together in large flocks. 

Nutcrackers 

Clark’s Nutcracker: A Corvidae of the Rocky Mountains 

The Clark’s Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) is one of three nutcracker species worldwide. It is the only Nucifraga species in North America. 

This grey and black bird is about the size of a Jay. It resides in remote mountainous areas in the Western United States and Canada. In flight, it has noticeable black and white-tipped wings that make it easy to identify. It prefers high elevations near treeline.