This bird is in fact the same species as the carrion crow and where the ranges of the two types overlap they often interbred producing offspring with a variety of colouring. It is also known in parts of England as the Grey Crow, Corbies or the Royston crow as it was common in that area of Hertfordshire. Like the carrion crow it is regarded as a pest by gamekeepers especially as it has a fondness for the eggs and chicks of grouse. They seem more aggressive than the carrion crow and have been known to kill partridges and fieldfares. The Hooded Crow takes the place of the carrion crow in the ecology of the North West Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Man but it does visit the Eastern Coasts of England during the winter. It lays 3-5 pale green blue eggs between April and June with the young being fed by both parents and leaving the nest after about 33 days.  The hooded crow has also been seen doing spectacular 12ft leaps into the air during courtship.