Widow's Crow
2026· Digital illustration· Society of the Silent Wing· Disputed Creatures
Curator’s Notes
The Widow’s Crow could, at first glance be mistaken for a common Crow, but has distinctive deep purple colouring not found in the accepted species. It’s key defining feature however is a constant stream of tears down each side of it’s beak. Matting the feathers as if the bird were constantly in mourning.
Only sighted around sites of tragic events; Mine collapses, industrial accidents and the like. Witnessess also state that it doesn’t sound like any bird they have ever heard.
It made a noise, like a sharp intake of breath, as if about to wail in pain I did not hear it exhale.
– Anonymous witness
Artist's Notes
This is the first of the Disputed plates rather than the natural-history set. These animals may differ only slightly from real-life counterparts, but they all have supernatural link to places associated with suffering, loss, or tragedy.