Corvidae

Corvidae (crows, jays, magpies, nutcrackers, rooks; class Aves, order Passeriformes) A family of small to large black, black and white, or brightly coloured birds, that have large, heavy bills and round nostrils covered by feathers. Some are crested, some are long-tailed. All have strong legs. Corvids are typically gregarious, and inhabit forest, woodland, and open country. They are omnivorous, and their nests are usually open and bulky, in a tree or on a cliff. Many species are kept as cage birds and are good vocal mimics. The genus Corvus comprises 40 species of crows, ravens, and rooks (the common rook is C.frugilegus). There are three species of jays (Garrulus) found in Europe, N. Africa, and Asia; G. glandarius (jay) exists in five distinct forms across its range, while G. lidthi (Lidth's jay) is endemic to Japan. Nutcrackers (two species of Nucifraga) have white-spotted, brown, or grey and black plumage, inhabit coniferous forest, feed on conifer seeds, nuts, and insects, and nest in trees. There are 26 genera in the family, with about 110 species, found world-wide, except for New Zealand and Pacific Ocean islands.