Another recent pleasant discovery as I was sorting through photos from a 2017 visit to Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. This Pied Crow flew into the scene just after a sensational sunrise, parking itself briefly at a ranger station at an entrance to the park.

Like this image of a White-browed Robin-chat, I don’t remember anything in particularly about the encounter; I presume that I was glad it landed near us, giving me something to chase while waiting for our guide.

I like how well manicured it looks, as if dressed in a pressed vest ready to go out on the town. Pied Crows are said to be highly intelligent, handy with tools and capable of solving complex problems. And, according to Feravox, “can remember individual human faces for years — and will scold the ones who trapped them, even if they see that person across a city months later.” I know a few people like that.

Pied Crow in brief (with assist from WordPress AI but double-checked by me at Birds of the World and Wikipedia):

• Latin Name: Corvus albus
• Size: Length: 40–45 cm (15.7–17.7 inches); Wingspan: 90–105 cm (35.4–41.3 inches)
• Weight: 350–600 grams (12.3–21.2 ounces)
• Diet: Omnivorous; feeds on insects, small mammals, seeds, fruits, and carrion.
• Habitat: Found in sub-Saharan Africa; countries include South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Angola, Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Physical Description: Black feathers with a distinctive white patch on the chest; strong bill; long tail.
• Breeding: Breeds throughout the year in regions with ample resources; nests in trees, cliffs and on utility poles.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List; population stable.
• Primary Predators: Birds of prey (like eagles), larger mammals, and occasionally humans.
• Unique Behaviors: Known for tool use; displays intelligence similar to other corvids; often seen in pairs or small groups.
• Range of Migration: Generally sedentary, but can undertake short distances for food; some populations may move seasonally within their range.
• Migration Periods and Patterns: Migration typically does not occur; local movements are more common during dry seasons or when resources are scarce.

Links for further reference:

• Pied Crow at Birds of the World
• Pied Crow at BirdLife DataZone
• Pied Crow at eBird
• Pied Crow at Avibase
• Pied Crow at Wikipedia
• Pied Crow at Oiseaux.net
• Pied Crow at iNaturalist

Adding this shot into the mix for I.J.’s Bird of the Week thread on his site Don’t Hold Your Breath.

Photos from 29 March 2017, post last updated on 17 August 2026.