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Torresian Crow

Corvus orru ssp. cecilae

Photo by Neil Ross
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

The Torresian Crow is a large, glossy-black crow with short throat hackles (feathers). The feathers of the head and neck have white bases. The eye is white with a fine blue eye-ring. Immature birds are duller black with a brown eye. When landing, this species characteristically shuffles its wings. It will be seen outside breeding season in large flocks. This poor crow was being harassed by Noisy Miners. What a racket!

Habitat:

Open forests, eucalypt woodlands, scrublands, along watercourses, farms and city suburbs with tall trees. They requires tall trees for nesting. Sedentary as adults, but immatures form nomadic flocks.

Notes:

In Australia, there are five native corvid species: Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides), Little Raven (C. mellori), Forest Raven (C. tasmanicus), Little Crow (C. bennetti), and Torresian Crow (C. orru). As well as these natives, the House Crow (C. splendens) from the near north Asian region has made regular appearances as a ship-assisted vagrant. To date, this species has not become established in Australia. https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/livingwith/crows/a-crows-li… How to tell the difference between these corvid species of crows and ravens? It seems to be a simple matter of geography. Australian corvids are almost identical in appearance, so the most reliable way of identifying them is knowing which ones live where. Melbourne and Adelaide has the Little Raven. Perth, Canberra and Sydney, the Australian Raven. Hobart, the Forest Raven, and Brisbane and Darwin, the Torresian Crow. The Little Crow seems to favour the drier regions of Central Australia, but can also be found in Adelaide and Perth. Confused?

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