Carrion Crow (Corvus corone orientalis)

Attracted to a recent burn. The metallic blue sheen is characteristic of this species which has discontinuous populations in Europe and East Asia with those in East Asia averaging larger than those in Europe. They are separated by a partly gray, but otherwise similar species, the Hooded Crow C. cornix. The two hybridize where they come into contact, but the hybrid offspring are at a selective disadvantage (Parkin et. al. 2003).