Habitat
Nests near intertidal zone; coastal bays, river deltas, intertidal shores near forested edges, seabird colonies, and refuse dumps typical of nesting habitat. Feeds in intertidal beaches and reeds, and along tidal pools. Also found in coastal towns, cities, campgrounds, and on agricultural land (Campbell et al. 1997). Obligate tidewater inhabitant (Andres 1999b). Avoids deep forests, but occurs in forest edges (Verbeek and Butler 1999). Winter range similar to breeding range, with flocks from small coastal islands withdrawing to join winter flocks around towns and along beaches (Verbeek and Butler 1999). In B.C., reported from sea level to 1,700 m, but most numerous at lower elevations (Campbell et al. 1997).
References
Andres, B.A. 1999b. Landbird conservation plan for Alaska biogeographic regions. Version 1.0. Boreal Partners in Flight Working Group. October 1999. USFWS, Anchorage, Alaska.
Campbell, R. W., N. K. Dawe, I. McTaggart-Cowan, J. M. Cooper, G. W. Kaiser, M. C. E. McNall, and G. E. J. Smith. 1997. The Birds of British Columbia. Volume 3. Passerines: flycatchers through vireos. University of British Columbia Press, Vancouver. 693 pages.
Verbeek, N. A. M. and R. W. Butler. 1999. Northwestern Crow (Corvus caurinus). In The Birds of North America, No. 407 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists’ Union.
