Hooded Crow (Kråka)

Characteristics:
The Hooded Crow is a large crow species (length 45–50 cm) with a grey body and black head, wings, tail, and throat.
It has a strong black bill and dark eyes.
It is easily recognised by its sharp colour contrast and harsh, rasping call “kraaa”.
In flight, the crow shows broad wings and steady, direct wingbeats.

Habitat:
The Hooded Crow is found throughout Sweden, most common in farmland, forest edges, coastal areas, and towns.
In northern Scandinavia, it is replaced in parts by the Carrion Crow (Corvus corone).
It thrives close to human activity, often seen around farms, cities, harbours, and dumps.

Behaviour:
The Hooded Crow is intelligent and cautious, known for its problem-solving skills and ability to recognise danger.
It usually lives in pairs during the breeding season but forms large flocks in autumn and winter.
The species is territorial and will chase away other birds from its nesting area.

Diet:
An omnivorous species that eats insects, small rodents, eggs, nestlings, berries, seeds, carrion, and waste.
It forages in fields, shorelines, and urban areas, often searching for food in open ground or rubbish.

Reproduction:
Breeding takes place in March–May.
The nest is built of twigs and branches, lined with grass and hair, usually high in a tree, on a pole, or on a building.
The female lays 4–6 eggs, incubated for about 18–20 days.
The chicks fledge after 4–5 weeks and remain dependent on the parents for a short period after leaving the nest.

Migration:
The Hooded Crow is a resident species in southern Sweden, but partially migratory further north.
Northern populations migrate to southern Scandinavia or northern Europe during winter.

Distribution:
Widespread across Europe and western Asia.
In Sweden, it is common throughout the country, especially in open farmland and coastal regions.

Hunting:
The Hooded Crow is a game species in Sweden according to the Hunting Ordinance (Bilaga 1).
Hunting season: 16 July – 15 April nationwide.
It is commonly hunted as decoy hunting, from blinds, or as protective hunting when causing damage to crops or other property.

Firearm class (Sweden):
The species may be hunted with:

• Shotgun, typically using pellet size no. 5–7, or
• Rifle class 4 (permitted for small game and corvids).

Think for the hunting exam:

• Large grey and black crow with black head, wings, and tail.
• Common in farmland, coasts, and towns.
• Eats insects, small animals, eggs, berries, and carrion.
• Nests in trees or buildings.
• Resident in the south, migratory in the north.
• Game species – hunted 16 July to 15 April.
• Hunted with shotgun or rifle class 4.
• Very wary and intelligent, requires patience and skill to hunt successfully.