Hoodies are on their own

I have always regarded hooded crows as simply a grey version of the carrion crow, but a birdwatching friend claims that they are now recognised as two different species. Is he correct?

Historically, most taxonomists lumped hooded and carrion crows together as the same species, Corvus corone. But recent studies have shown sufficient differences between the two for the hooded crow to be granted full specific status as C cornix. Where the ranges of the two birds meet, these crows will hybridise. The offspring are fertile, indicating that the two birds are extremely closely related.

Of the two species, the hooded crow is by far the most widely distributed. Its range extends from Ireland to almost all of eastern and northern Europe, including Italy. In the British Isles, hooded crows are found throughout the UK but are more common in Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and north and west Scotland.

In the past 40 years, the range of the carrion crow has extended, while that of the hooded has contracted. Carrions have also started breeding regularly in eastern Ireland. DT

How to spot it and where to find it: Hated by gardeners as an invasive weed, hound’s tongue grows in clumps with dusty, downy leaves at the base and dull redishpurple funnel-shaped flowers on long stems. When the flowers die, they are replaced with four ‘nutlets’ or fruits, which turn yellow and develop tiny spikes that attach them to the fur of any passing animal. Interesting facts: In its first year, the plant appears only as basal leaves, some curving, with a red tinge on the end, reminiscent of dogs’ tongues, hence the common name. Hound’s tongue contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that, if ingested, can cause liver failure and damage the lungs. Horses and cattle are most vulnerable.

It does, however, have medicinal uses. Renowned herbalist Nicholas Culpeper noted: “Bruising the leaves or the juice… applied helpeth to preserve the hair from falling and easeth the pain of a scald or burn.” John Gerard, the 16th-century botanist, suggested: “It will tye the tongues of Houndes so that they shall not bark at you, if it be laid under the bottom of your feet.” NJS

Hooded crows are now accepted as a separate species to carrion crows