Food of the Crow, Corvus brachyrhynchos Brehm, in South-central Kansas

Set against the rolling prairies of south‑central Kansas, this detailed natural‑history account follows a year‑long investigation into what the American crow eats. By tracing the birds’ movements from summer wheat fields to winter sand‑dune valleys, the author paints a vivid picture of a landscape that shapes, and is shaped by, its feathered inhabitants. The work builds on earlier USDA studies, highlighting why understanding the crow’s diet has long mattered to farmers and ecologists alike.

The heart of the study lies in the meticulous analysis of 617 regurgitated pellets collected at regular intervals. Using careful laboratory techniques, each pellet is dissected to reveal the bulk percentages of seeds, insects, and other remnants, offering a window into seasonal feeding patterns. Listeners will come away with a clear sense of how field observations, climate clues, and reliable data combine to illuminate the everyday life of a common yet surprisingly complex bird.