Visually, it is nearly identical to and the same length (34–38 cm) as the Tamaulipas crow (Corvus imparatus).

The crow inhabits coastal regions where it forages on the seashore, semi-desert, open woodlands, river banks and hills up to 300 metres or more.

On the seashore it can be found turning over objects to find its food and it will take a wide range of invertebrates such as small shellfish, crabs, and insects.

The voice is radically different from the Tamaulipas crow in that it is quite high-pitched, jay-like, and clear: "ceow".

That of the Tamaulipas crow is a surprisingly low, gruff, frog-like croak.