Size: Their length varies from 48 to 52 cm; wingspan is 105 cm and weight is on average 510 g.

Vocalisations: “kraa”

Habitat: small forests, parks, gardens, cemeteries

Behaviour: Hooded crows are social birds; they live in pairs ad may also feed in groups. They are active during the day spending most of the time searching for food. Hooded crows are known for their habit of hiding food, especially meat or nuts, in places such as rain gutters, flower pots, or in the earth under bushes, to feed on it later. Other crows often watch if another one hides food and then search this place later when the other crow has left. Hooded crows are omnivores and scavengers. They feed on insects, berries, grain, molluscs, crabs, and carrion. On coastal cliffs, they often steal eggs of gulls, cormorants, and other birds. Hooded crows may even enter the burrow of the puffin to steal eggs. Hooded crows are monogamous and form long-lasting pair bonds. Hooded crows place their bulky stick nests in tall trees, but cliff ledges, old buildings, and pylons may also be used. Nests are occasionally placed on or near the ground. The female lays 4 to 6 brown-speckled blue eggs. In Latvia, there are 20,000-60,000 couples.

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