member of the crow family crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're tackling the clue "member of the crow family crossword", you've come to the right place. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of potential answers, categorized by letter count, along with helpful explanations to boost your crossword-solving skills.
Solutions for "member of the crow family crossword" by Letter Count
3 Letters
JAY: A colorful, often noisy, bird that belongs to the crow (Corvidae) family, known for its distinctive calls and varied diet.
4 Letters
ROOK: A black, intelligent bird of the crow family, commonly found in flocks and known for building large communal nests called rookeries.
5 Letters
RAVEN: A large, intelligent, and often mysterious bird, the biggest member of the crow family, known for its deep croaking call.
6 Letters
MAGPIE: A long-tailed, black-and-white bird, part of the crow family, often recognized for its striking plumage and intelligence.
CHOUGH: A black-feathered bird with a red beak and legs, a less common but distinctive member of the crow family, often found in coastal and mountainous regions.
CORVID: A general term used to describe any bird belonging to the Corvidae family, which includes all members of the crow family.
7 Letters
JACKDAW: A small, highly social member of the crow family with distinctive pale eyes, often found in urban areas and known for nesting in chimneys.
More About "member of the crow family crossword"
The "crow family" refers to the scientific family Corvidae, which is a diverse group of passerine birds that includes crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, and magpies. These birds are found almost worldwide and are renowned for their intelligence, adaptability, and complex social behaviors. They exhibit remarkable problem-solving skills, tool use, and even mimicry, making them fascinating subjects for study and common inspirations for folklore.
Corvids often feature in crosswords due to their distinct characteristics and varied names. From the common crow to the enigmatic raven, or the strikingly colored magpie and jay, knowing a few key members of this family can be incredibly useful for solving puzzles. Their presence in different habitats and their unique calls also provide rich material for cryptic clues.
Understanding the common names and specific traits of each species within the Corvidae family can give you an edge in crosswords. For instance, a clue hinting at a "noisy, colorful bird" might point to a JAY, while "large, black bird of omen" could signify a RAVEN. Building this knowledge base helps you connect clues to their avian answers more efficiently.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Word Length: The first step is always to check the number of letters required. This instantly narrows down the possible answers, as seen with our specific solutions for "member of the crow family."
- Consider Synonyms and Related Concepts: Crossword setters love to use synonyms or slightly indirect clues. For "member of the crow family," think about scientific terms (CORVID), specific species (RAVEN, JAY), or even collective nouns (ROOKERY for rooks).
- Look for Contextual Clues: Sometimes the surrounding clues or the puzzle's theme can offer hints. If other clues are nature-related, an animal answer is more likely. Pay attention to adjectives (e.g., "noisy" for JAY, "social" for JACKDAW).
- Use Cross-References: If you've filled in intersecting words, use those letters as a scaffold. This is particularly helpful when you have multiple potential answers for a single clue.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name for the crow family?
The scientific name for the crow family is Corvidae. This family includes crows, ravens, jays, magpies, rooks, and jackdaws, among others.
Are all black birds members of the crow family?
No, not all black birds are members of the crow family (Corvidae). While many well-known corvids like crows and ravens are black, other black birds such as starlings, blackbirds (Turdus merula), and grackles belong to different families. However, the term 'crow family' often broadly refers to birds with similar characteristics to actual crows.
What makes birds of the crow family intelligent?
Birds in the crow family are renowned for their high intelligence. This includes remarkable problem-solving abilities, tool use (e.g., using sticks to extract insects), impressive memory (remembering faces, food cache locations), complex social structures, and even the ability to mimic sounds. Their large brain-to-body ratio and complex frontal pallium are often cited as neurological bases for their cognitive abilities.