carrion crow

American  

noun

1. a European crow, Corvus corone, that feeds on carrion.

2. black vulture.

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carrion crow British  

noun

1. a common predatory and scavenging European crow, Corvus corone, similar to the rook but having a pure black bill See also hooded crow

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Etymology

Origin of carrion crow

First recorded in 1520–30

Example Sentences

In the Tübingen group’s experiment, two carrion crows were trained to recall a previous experience to guide their behavior.

From Scientific American

“You have lost before you ride out. Who are you? You are one man. Who follows you? Only carrion crows, bone-pickers. Do not stop moving, or they will eat you alive.”

From Los Angeles Times

Or perhaps because owls often are attacked and harassed during the day by carrion crows, kestrels and other birds.

From New York Times

Packham's campaign group Wild Justice has challenged the general licences that allow farmers to shoot birds including carrion crows, wood pigeons, and magpies that damage crops or attack livestock.

From BBC

Wolf’s climbing exploits have focused on two species of birds — carrion crows, which predominate in western Germany, and the closely related hooded crows that prevail further to the east, in Sweden and Poland.

From Scientific American