HOUSE CROW, NOKOMIS BEACH,CASEY KEY,SARASOTA COUNTY,FLORIDA, 3/29/2019

      We can ID this crow as a House Crow as follows:

• Distinctive grey shawl across the rear and sides of the neck and upper mantle that contrasts sharply with the black surrounding it.
• Rest of crow is glossy black.
• Long, black bill, that is longer than other crows.

      The House Crow is of Indian subcontinent origin, but is now found in many parts of the world, where they have arrived assisted by shipping.  It is also known as the Indian, Greynecked, Ceylon or Colombo Crow.  In the U.S. they have been found mostly along the Florida Gulf coast, both as breeding groups and singly.  They have probably arrived by shipping at the Port of Tampa.  A small population of House Crows is established in the area around St. Peterburg, Florida.

      The House Crow is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 847.