Can we sex crows? (7)

These differences were also seen in the Hooded Crows which I got a chance to observe in Rome two years ago. The smaller one was observed to solicit courtship feeding from the larger individual, which indicates almost with certainty that the smaller one was a female. As you can see, the female has the thin neck line and less massive wing musculature. Although not a good shot, the male's upper bill had a small hook, while the female's upper and lower bill tips meet like a pair of forceps.

You may not always be able to tell the sexes of crows. But in many cases you can, by looking at the combination of all or parts of the following characteristics: body size, wing musculature, the neck size, bill structure/size, plumage coloration/sheen and of course behavior.

Note: These differences between sexes may pertain only to the crow species which I have had the chance to observe. Thus, they are not necessarily applicable to the other species, although I have the impression that they are, at least in some aspects.