The nutcrackers (Nucifraga) are a genus of three species of passerine bird, in the family Corvidae, related to the jays and crows.
Nutcracker (bird)
Image: Nucifraga caryocatactes perched Kunice 4
Image: Large spotted Nutcracker (Nucifraga multipunctata) (48701225987)
Image: Clark's Nutcracker at Crater Lake
Corvidae is a cosmopolitan family of oscine passerine birds that contains the crows, ravens, rooks, magpies, jackdaws, jays, treepies, choughs, and nutcrackers. In colloquial English, they are known as the crow family or corvids. Currently, 135 species are included in this family. The genus Corvus containing 47 species makes up over a third of the entire family. Corvids (ravens) are the largest passerines.
Corvidae
Crested jayshrikes were thought to be in this family, but may be a type of helmetshrike instead.
Skeleton of American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) on display at the Museum of Osteology.
Corvids are highly opportunistic foragers. Here, a jungle crow feeds on a shark carcass.