American Crow

This common statewide breeder took a newsworthy plunge due to West Nile Virus in recent years. 29 BCN eBird points sampled in both 2002 and 2003 had American Crow sightings during at least one of those years. The combined total for these 29 sites dropped from 43 in 2002 to 15 in 2003 - a decrease of over 65% in a one year period. The long-term decline indicated by BCN data does not accurately account for the many crows that breed in urban and agricultural areas which are insufficiently monitored. Although declines on the BCN Survey are starting to level out, this species has not rebounded like other species and still shows an alarming decline of over 26% annually. Photo: © Eric Secker