The order of passerines consists of more than 5,700 species of birds. Passerines refer to sparrow-sized birds.
About 60 percent of the world’s bird species today are passerines.
Passerines are considered highly intelligent, mature, and well-adapted birds.
Passerines typically consume seeds, fruits, honey, and insects.
All passerines have similar feet, adapted to hold the bird firmly in place. If a bird starts to fall from a perch, the muscles in its legs contract, automatically gripping tightly. For this reason, even when sleeping on poles, these birds do not fall.
Passerines are born without feathers, unable to see, and are helpless at hatching. They require significant parental care.
Most passerine chicks are fed by their parents while still in the nest.
Crows also lead a life as a passerine. There are various varieties of crow all over the world.
Members of the crow family are found on all continents except Antarctica, with at least 117 species distributed worldwide. These include jackdaws, rooks, ravens, glossy black jays, and sparrowhawks.
The bold and aggressive crow is a large bird with a strong body, sturdy legs, and a powerful beak, which it uses to attack nuts, seeds, and even small animals.
Crows are regarded as the smartest of all birds. Studies on glossy black cockatoos reveal that they can count for up to five or six years. A recent study found that crows can remember events for up to 17 years, particularly for revenge.
One species of crow inhabiting the Pacific Ocean islands uses sharp branches from palm trees as tools to extract food from holes.
At 66 cm long, the glossy black-bearded crow is the largest member of the crow family, with a wingspan reaching up to 1.5 meters.
In spring, jackdaws gather soft fibers for their nests and even use fur from sheep’s backs for construction.
Chough crows are primarily mountain birds, inhabiting the Himalayas at altitudes of about 9,000 meters.
Pairs of Australian white-winged chough crows form groups of eight, which cooperate in foraging for their young.
The secret to the survival of crows lies in their ability to adapt to various environments and their omnivorous diet. Crows are so intelligent that they exploit new food sources with remarkable ingenuity.
