Torresian Crow
- '"Australian Crow" redirects here. For the butterfly, see Euploea core.
| Torresian Crow | |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Corvidae |
| Genus: | Corvus |
| Species: | C. orru |
| Binomial name | |
| Corvus orru Bonaparte, 1850 |
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The Torresian Crow (Corvus orru), also called the Australian Crow or Papuan Crow in those respective countries, is an Australasian member of the crow genus. An all black crow, it is found in the north and west of Australia and nearby islands in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
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Taxonomy [edit]
The Torresian Crow was described by ornithologist Charles Lucien Bonaparte in 1850,[2] with the Australian subspecies ceciliae described by Mathews in 1912.[3] In Central Australia southwest of Alice Springs, the Pitjantjatjara term for race ceciliae is kaanka. The term wati kaanka refers to a light-fingered man or someone who hangs around suspiciously.[4]
Description [edit]
The Torresian Crow is about the same size (50–55 cm in length) as the Eurasian Carrion Crow but with a more robust bill and slightly longer legs. It has the typical white iris of the other Australasian Corvus species but can be distinguished from most (except the Little Crow) by the base of the head and neck feathers being snow white (revealed when blown by a strong wind). It also shuffles its wings after alighting.
Distribution and habitat [edit]
The range of the mainland Australian race C. orru ceciliae occupies the tropical north of Australia as far south as Brisbane on the east coast where the species seems to be adjusting well to a city life. Over much of this range, it is simple to distinguish from other species, as it is the only corvid found in northern Australia.
They occupy almost any habitat within their range, except the deserts of inland Australia, where they are replaced by the smaller Little Crow. They can be found in habitats such as tropical rainforests, eucalyptus woodland, open scrub, beaches, swamps, offshore islands, farmland, towns and cities. On farms in much of Australia, they are the most numerous bird species and are considered a pest by farmers, as they damage crops such as corn, peanuts, wheat and many kinds of fruit.
The other three races occur on various islands to the north: C. orru orru (the nominate form from Papua New Guinea and the Moluccas), C. orru insularis from New Britain and nearby islands and lastly C. orru latirostris of Tanimbar and Babar Islands.
The Australian Crow is not to be confused with the Australian Raven,[5] which has an almost identical appearance. Despite their visual similarities, the Australian Raven and Crow have very different and unique calls.
Behaviour [edit]
Diet [edit]
A typical crow in that it will take just about anything. It has been seen taking stranded fish on the seashore, carrion, human food scraps, fruit, grain, small birds, rodents and insects. Adaptable and intelligent like its North American, European, African and Asian relatives, it has learned how to kill and eat the introduced poisonous Cane Toad without ingesting the poison by flipping it onto its back and delivering a lethal blow with its powerful bill. It will also pick skin parasites off of the Australian Water Buffalo (a relationship that took around 150 years to develop).
Nesting [edit]
Two to four eggs in large stick nest high in a tree.
Voice [edit]
Quite different from the Australian Raven. A nasal "uk-uk-uk-uk-uk" or sometimes an "ok-ok-ok-ok".
References [edit]
- ^ BirdLife International (2012). "Corvus orru". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
- ^ Bonaparte, C.L. (1850). Conspectus Generum Avium. Tom. I. Lugduni, Batavorum: E.J. Brill 543 pp. [385]
- ^ Mathews, G.M. (1912). A Reference-List to the Birds of Australia. Novit. Zool. 18: 171-455 [442]
- ^ Cliff Goddard (1992). Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara To English Dictionary (2 ed.). Alice Springs, Northern Territory: Institute for Aboriginal Development. p. 26. ISBN 0-949659-64-9.
- ^ australian raven
External links [edit]
- Photo of Torresian Crow by water
- Photo of Torresian Crow walking on lawn
- Urban bird walking on pavement
- Torresian Crow series
