[Bird]: Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow (Corvus corone)

(Bird: Corvidae)

19th June, 2013. Hythe Marina (Hampshire-UK).

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Though it appears leucistic, this bird probably just has worn feathers due to
diet deficiency. This condition is quite common in crows all over the world.
29th August, 2014. New Quay (Wales-UK). 

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Notes:

There is much that can be said about crows; since early times, these birds have featured in literature and mythology. At first appearance these birds appear black, but are in fact just very dark brown. Both crow and raven are often used interchangeably in modern society, but even in the scientific sense there is no clear dividing line unlike doves and pigeons. Usually ravens are the larger species with heavier bills with longer feathers, but there are exceptions.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)

The first time I recorded this species:

4th April, 2007 at Weston Shore (Hampshire-UK).

[Bird]: Eurasian Magpie

Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)

(Bird: Corvidae)

1st July, 2013. Gigrin Farm (Wales-UK).

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Notes:

Magpies are crows that don't immediately resemble crows. When familiar with these birds their raucous calls and behaviour is comparable with jays, and the family relation is more apparent. Unlike jays magpies spend more time in the open, walking across fields and perching on exposed fence posts.

"Pink magpies" are a rarely-encountered phenomenon where white areas on magpies are quite literally pink. This colour varies from faint to rather vibrant, and seems to be caused by carotenoid pigmentation in the diet of the birds, similar to what is seen by the roseate spoonbill and flamingos. A video on youtube recently shows an unrelated Australian magpie with pink plumage; it seems any bird with white feathering can be affected with this anomaly.

I have seen this species in:

• Europe (GB)

The first time I recorded this species:

Pre-2006 at Eastleigh (Hampshire-UK).