Crows, Ravens, Magpies, and Jays: Family Crows and Allies

Corvids: The Crow Family

Crows and Ravens have made an impact on humans for centuries. They are personified as harbingers, soothsayers and old souls in western literature and according to some Native American legends, Ravens were even responsible for the creation of Earth and Man! They have certainly earned this reputation by being among the most intelligent birds on Earth. Their social cognition is comparable to primates, and are even known to use tools!

The family Corvidae includes genera and over a hundred species, one third of which belongs to the Genus Corvus:

Genus Aphelocoma (Scrub Jays)
Genus Calocitta (Magpie-Jays)
Genus Cissa (Oriental Magpies)
Genus Corvus (True Crows)
Genus Crypsirina (Treepies)
Genus Cyanopica (Azure-winged Magpie)
Genus Cyanocitta (Blue Jay, Steller’s Jay)
Genus Cyanocorax (New world Jays)
Genus Cyanolyca (New world Jays)
Genus Dendrocitta (Treepies)
Genus Garrulus (Old World Jays)
Genus Gymnorhinus (Pinyon Jay)
Genus Nucifraga (Nutcrackers)
Genus Perisoreus (Grey Jays)
Genus Pica (Magpies)
Genus Pyrrhocorax (Choughs)
Genus Platysmurus (Black Magpie)
Genus Podoces (Ground Jays)
Genus Ptilostomus (Piapiac)
Genus Temnurus (Ratchet-tailed Treepie)
Genus Urocissa (Oriental Magpies)
Genus Zavattariornis (Bush Crow)