American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos)
Smaller cousin of the raven, but no slouch in the brains department — crows use tools, hold grudges, and pass knowledge down through generations. If one seems like it’s plotting, it probably is.
Found year-round across nearly all of North America, from city parks to farmland. Often in loud family groups, sometimes in winter roosts of thousands.
Wikipedia | eBird | iNaturalist | Range map