carrion crow

noun

: a uniformly black crow (Corvus corone corone) occurring in much of western Europe

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web But all crows have a large brain-to-body size ratio, which may explain the carrion crow's cosmopolitan success. Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2012 Also known as a carrion crow, the large raptor measures 22 to 29 inches in length with a wingspan of roughly five feet. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Sep. 2021 Or perhaps because owls often are attacked and harassed during the day by carrion crows, kestrels and other birds. James Gorman, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2019 Researchers will train the birds to respond to visual cues, such as flashing lights, and then figure out whether hooded and carrion crows can detect different visual contrasts. Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'carrion crow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of carrion crow was in 1528

Dictionary Entries Near carrion crow

Cite this Entry

“Carrion crow.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carrion%20crow. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

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