The Cape crow or black crow is slightly larger than the carrion crow and is completely black with a slight gloss of purple in its feathers. It also has proportionately longer legs, wings, and tail, and has a much longer, slimmer bill that seems to be adapted for probing into the ground for invertebrates. The head feathers have a coppery-purple gloss and the throat feathers are quite long and fluffed out in some calls and displays.
Region
Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Found widely across South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, with localized occurrence into southwestern Angola. Prefers open habitats such as grasslands, savannas, farmlands, and scrubby semi-arid regions, and is scarce in dense forests. Common around human-modified landscapes, including croplands and grazing areas. Often perches on poles and trees and forages on the ground in open fields.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Also called the black crow, the Cape crow is a glossy all‑black corvid of southern Africa with notably long legs and a slim, elongated bill adapted for probing soil. It often follows ploughs and forages in pastures, taking advantage of disturbed invertebrates. Like other corvids, it is intelligent and adaptable, thriving in agricultural and open habitats.
Temperament
alert, intelligent, and moderately social
Flight Pattern
strong flier with steady, deep wingbeats and short glides
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, forming larger flocks outside the breeding season. Monogamous pairs build stick nests in tall trees, pylons, or cliffs, lined with softer materials. Clutches typically contain several pale eggs, and both parents participate in rearing the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are a series of harsh croaks and caws interspersed with rattling notes. Calls can be resonant and carry over open country, with softer contact notes within pairs and family groups.
Plumage
Uniform glossy black with a slight purple to coppery sheen; throat feathers form loose hackles that can be fluffed during displays.
Diet
Feeds mainly on invertebrates such as beetles, termites, grubs, and earthworms, which it extracts by probing with its long bill. Also takes seeds, grains, fruits, and carrion, and may opportunistically prey on small vertebrates or eggs of ground-nesting birds. Often exploits human-altered habitats for food, including spilled grain and ploughed fields.
Preferred Environment
Forages mostly on the ground in open grasslands, pastures, croplands, and recently burned fields. Frequently follows livestock and agricultural machinery to pick exposed prey.
