Pied Crow

Yesterday, I photographed a Pied Crow about 2-3 miles from home ..... as the Crow flies !!! It was sitting in a tree with a large flock of American Crows. At first, I thought it was a partially albinistic Crow but the white marking seemed too perfect. It had been sighted several months ago, also.

The Pied Crow lives in Southern Africa and the island of Madagascar. The initial opinion is that it is most likely an escapee since some people do keep them as pets ... but who really knows for sure. The local Maryland Zoo did not have any in captivity.

Anyway, it was an interesting time chasing (following) him around in an attempt to get a decent photo. Here are a couple shots I did get .....

A second photo .....

A final photo ..... in flight !!!

WOW, so neat!!! Looks like he's wearing a white tank top. Great pics Linth!!!

Thanks for taking the time to get these. You must have some good scouts!

Really great photos!

Great shots Linth! Thanks for getting them and sharing with us.

Thanks, everyone.

pelletory, no scouts .... I have gas in the car, a good pair of legs ..... and persistence !!! Life is too short to wait for everything to come to me.

one more photo ........

How close is this to the nearest major seaport?

While an escape from captivity is most likely, there is a possibility it could be a stowaway off a ship from Africa. Crows are known to travel by ship on occasion, of their own free will. There's supposed to be some Indian House Crows in Rotterdam (Netherlands) which came off a ship from India a few years ago.

Resin

Linthicum, you should report this bird to your local bird club...just in case it id a 'tockable' bird. Otherwise, they might be able to confirm if it was an escapee.

Hi Resin !!! I was hoping that you would comment on the Pied Crow.

This location would be about 3-4 miles from Baltimore, 90 miles to Philadelphia and 200 miles from New York. Do you know if they would inter-breed with the American Crow ? The Pied Crow seemed to fit in quite well with the entire flock.

If I hear him use a few curse words, then I'll know where he came from ......

Thanks, Todd ..... I'll do that !!!

linth;,

I think Resin is right......... It's probably an escaped bird.....

While looking at the first photo, and the last, I noticed some sort of band or wire ring on it's right leg....It probably got loose from someone......

Nice looking crow.....


....Dave

Dave, very keen eye !!! I did not notice the ring. In fact I still thought that it may be a twig that looked like a ring.
However, I went back and looked at all of my photos and found one that when blown up and lightened considerably it definitely shows a ring or band of some kind.

Dave, that's why your photos are so clear .... your eyesight is 20/20 and you get everything in focus (lol).

Thanks !!!

I'd looked to see if there was a ring too, but hadn't seen anything! Well spotted . . . that means it will certainly be an escape

Resin

Wow, how interesting! Fascinating photos and an interesting discussion. I hope it will fare well in the wild here.

Great photos, of course (goes without saying, Linth!). And it fascinates me how this escapee just fits in so nicely with the American crows. Ain't nature grand???!!!

Viewed from below, the Black-billed Magpie has markings vary similar to the Pied Crow.

Yes he does! Thanks Gras! Beautiful pic.

I saw one just like it in Baltimore. It was on Prudence & Church St near Curtis Bay. I did not know to look for a band and it took off before I got a picture, but I never saw a bird like this. This is why I searched to see what it was and found this web site. If it is the same bird that means it has been around the area for 4 years. Lots of bad winters.

Not unusual for crows to live 5-10 years in the wild, it could well be the same one.

Resin

That's quite a find, linth. Thanks for sharing.

It most likely is the same one. The odds would be pretty great to see another ...... unless they inter-breed.

Here is a map of where I photographed it at 'Southwest Area Park' - upper left and where 'cablebeav' saw it. Both locations are in close proximity to each other .... the way the Crow flies !