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==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | Around 125 species of | + | Around 125 species of crows, jays and magpies are found worldwide. They inhabit all continents except Antarctica.<br /> |
Basic features of the corvids are: | Basic features of the corvids are: | ||
* long tarsi | * long tarsi | ||
* stiffened primaries and tail feathers | * stiffened primaries and tail feathers | ||
* tuft of nasal bristles extending to the nostril opening | * tuft of nasal bristles extending to the nostril opening | ||
| − | * an unspotted juvenile plumage ( | + | * an unspotted juvenile plumage (except [[Crested Jay]]) |
| − | The body size in this family is quite variable. Ravens and | + | The body size in this family is quite variable. Ravens and crows can be quite large whereas jays and magpies are only medium-sized. The [[Common Raven]] is the largest passerine in the world, reaching 69 cm in length and 2 kg in weight. On the other hand the [[Dwarf Jay]] of Mexico with 20 cm and 40 g is the smallest corvid.<br /> |
The corvids are one of the best-known avian groups and they have fascinated man for a long time. Images of them are found on cave wall paintings made by the early humans. Their curiosity, memory, attractive movement, varied vocalizations and ecological plasticity have intrigued people around the world. | The corvids are one of the best-known avian groups and they have fascinated man for a long time. Images of them are found on cave wall paintings made by the early humans. Their curiosity, memory, attractive movement, varied vocalizations and ecological plasticity have intrigued people around the world. | ||
[[Image:D09 0142.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Plush-crested Jay]]<br />Photo by {{user|Gary+Clark|Gary Clark}}]] | [[Image:D09 0142.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Plush-crested Jay]]<br />Photo by {{user|Gary+Clark|Gary Clark}}]] | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Corvidae is a | + | Corvidae is a family in the order [[:Category:Passeriformes|Passeriformes]].<br /> |
Studies indicate that the family is monophyletic which means that all corvids have the same ancestor. This species lived most probably in today's Australia some 53 million years ago.<br /> | Studies indicate that the family is monophyletic which means that all corvids have the same ancestor. This species lived most probably in today's Australia some 53 million years ago.<br /> | ||
The relationsship within the other avian families has been discussed for a long time. New work indicate that the [[:Category:Paradisaeidae|Birds-of-Paradise]] are the sister-group of the corvids and that the [[:Category:Ptilonorhynchidae|Bowerbirds]], the [[:Category:Laniidae|Shrikes]] and the [[:Category:Vireonidae|Vireos]] are also closely related to them.<br /> | The relationsship within the other avian families has been discussed for a long time. New work indicate that the [[:Category:Paradisaeidae|Birds-of-Paradise]] are the sister-group of the corvids and that the [[:Category:Ptilonorhynchidae|Bowerbirds]], the [[:Category:Laniidae|Shrikes]] and the [[:Category:Vireonidae|Vireos]] are also closely related to them.<br /> | ||
Revision as of 21:28, 19 November 2014
Family: Corvidae
Description
Around 125 species of crows, jays and magpies are found worldwide. They inhabit all continents except Antarctica.
Basic features of the corvids are:
- long tarsi
- stiffened primaries and tail feathers
- tuft of nasal bristles extending to the nostril opening
- an unspotted juvenile plumage (except Crested Jay)
The body size in this family is quite variable. Ravens and crows can be quite large whereas jays and magpies are only medium-sized. The Common Raven is the largest passerine in the world, reaching 69 cm in length and 2 kg in weight. On the other hand the Dwarf Jay of Mexico with 20 cm and 40 g is the smallest corvid.
The corvids are one of the best-known avian groups and they have fascinated man for a long time. Images of them are found on cave wall paintings made by the early humans. Their curiosity, memory, attractive movement, varied vocalizations and ecological plasticity have intrigued people around the world.
Taxonomy
Corvidae is a family in the order Passeriformes.
Studies indicate that the family is monophyletic which means that all corvids have the same ancestor. This species lived most probably in today's Australia some 53 million years ago.
The relationsship within the other avian families has been discussed for a long time. New work indicate that the Birds-of-Paradise are the sister-group of the corvids and that the Bowerbirds, the Shrikes and the Vireos are also closely related to them.
The taxonomic placement of the Crested Jay is still unsure and it may not be a corvid at all.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Corvidae. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 19 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Corvidae
Subcategories
This category has the following 31 subcategories, out of 31 total.
