Pied Crow
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| Pied Crow | ||||||||||||||
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| Corvus albus Statius Muller, 1776 |
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This article does not cite any references or sources. (January 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
The Pied Crow (Corvus albus) is a widely distributed African bird species in the crow genus.
Structurally, the Pied Crow is perhaps better thought of as a small crow-sized Raven, especially as it can hybridise with the Somali Crow (Dwarf Raven) where their ranges meet in the Horn of Africa. Its behaviour, though, is more typical of the Eurasian Carrion Crows, and it may perhaps prove to be a modern link (along with the Somali Crow) between the Eurasian crows and the Common Raven.
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[edit] Description
It is approximately the size of the European Carrion Crow or a little larger (46–50 cm in length) but has a proportionately larger bill, slightly longer tail and wings, and longer legs. As its name suggests, its glossy black head and neck are interrupted by a large area of white feathering from the shoulders down to the lower breast. The tail, bill and wings are black too. It is rarely seen very far from human habitation, though is not as tied to the urban way of life as the House Crow (Corvus splendens) of Asia.
The voice is described as a harsh "ar-ar-ar-ar" or "karh-karh-karh".
[edit] Distribution and habitat
This species, Africa's most widespread member of the genus Corvus, occurs from Sub-Saharan Africa down to the Cape of Good Hope and on the large island of Madagascar, the Comoros islands, Aldabra, Zanzibar, Pemba and Fernando Po. It inhabits mainly open country with villages and towns nearby. It does not occur in the equatorial rainforest region.
[edit] Behaviour
[edit] Diet
Most of its food is obtained from the ground such as insects and other small invertebrates, small reptiles, small mammals, young birds and eggs, grain, peanuts, carrion and any scraps of human food and fruit. It has been recorded killing and eating roosting Fruit Bats and is frequently seen (sometimes in huge numbers) scavenging around slaughterhouses.
[edit] Reproduction
The nest is usually built in tall, isolated trees, though sometimes smaller specimens are used, depending on availability. The cross supports of telephone poles are also frequently used. Eggs, average 4–5 from September to November (depending on latitude) and are pale green spotted with brown. The eggs are normally covered when the incubating female leaves the nest. Incubation is 18–19 days and the young are usually fledged by around 45 days. Both sexes rear the young.
[edit] Aviculture
In aviculture, the Pied Crow requires large amounts of space and is not suited to anything smaller than a room as it is a highly active jumper and flier. It can adjust to cooler climates, but shelter from the wind and a heated perch are recommended. It requires toys and social time, along with a good diet of vegetables and meat. A hand-raised Pied Crow will speak and mimic sounds, sometimes with alarming accuracy.
[edit] Photo links
[edit] Video links
- Pied Crow videos on the Internet Bird Collection
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Corvus albus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern.
