The Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) is a common medium-sized bird in the Corvidae family. It is native to western Europe and eastern Asia. 

It mainly eats carrion (the meat of dead animals), but it also eats insects, worms, grain, seeds, fruit, and small animals, such as worms and frogs, as well as eggs. It will also scavenge food scraps from humans. 

Its legs have a metallic sheen and often look like real metal. It has strong long, curved, pointed claws. It has eight claws – four claws on each leg. It uses its claws for gripping food when it eats.

The Carrion Crow is black with a green or purple iridescent sheen. Its beak, legs, and feet are black. It has a strong stout dark-grey beak. Its nostrils have bristle-like (hairy) feathers. It has relatively short, broad wings in comparison with rooks and ravens. 

It measures 48-52 centimetres (19-20 inches) tall.

Location of photographs: Paris, France

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM