The Cuban crow (Corvus nasicus) is one of four species of crow that occur on islands in the Caribbean. It is closely related to the white-necked crow (C. leucognaphalus) and Jamaican crow (C. jamaicensis), with which it shares similar features. The fourth Caribbean crow, the palm crow (C. palmarum), is a later arrival in evolutionary terms, and shows characteristics more akin to North American species, such as the fish crow (C. ossifragus), which it is probably closely related to.
It can be found quite commonly over most of the large island of Cuba and on the nearby Isla de la Juventud (as well as the Turks and Caicos islands) in woodland and areas that have been cleared for agriculture. It is frequently found around farms and villages where it seems to have adapted quite well to living in relatively close contact with human settlements.
1838 illustration of Corvus nasicus
DescriptionEdit
A stocky, medium-sized (40–42 centimetres or 16–17 inches in length) forest crow, the bill of this species is long and deep with a gentle curve towards the tip giving a large headed profile. The nasal bristles sweep forward then upward and frequently reveal the nostrils which are hidden in almost all other members of the genus Corvus. There is a patch of dark grey bare skin behind the browinsh-red eye and at the base of the lower mandible. The black plumage has a bluish-purple gloss in good light. The bill, legs and feet are black.
DietEdit
Food consists of fruit and insects though it does appear to take human food readily and will scavenge for scraps where the opportunity arises. Large noisy flocks can be seen feeding in trees and it will also readily feed on the ground especially where grain and other seeds have been spilt or left unprotected on the surface of a field.
CallEdit
The voice is quite remarkable and is rather un-crow like, with strange liquid bubbling notes and high ringing sounds produced in various combinations. It also produces a thin screeched "aaaaauh" that rises in inflection.
BreedingEdit
The nest is built in tall trees, though little further information about breeding is recorded as yet.
Image linksEdit
Cuban Crow videos, photos & sounds on the eBird
FootnotesEdit
^BirdLife International (2017). "Corvus nasicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T22706010A118781571. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22706010A118781571.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
October 24, 2023
cuban, crow, corvus, nasicus, four, species, crow, that, occur, islands, caribbean, closely, related, white, necked, crow, leucognaphalus, jamaican, crow, jamaicensis, with, which, shares, similar, features, fourth, caribbean, crow, palm, crow, palmarum, later. The Cuban crow Corvus nasicus is one of four species of crow that occur on islands in the Caribbean It is closely related to the white necked crow C leucognaphalus and Jamaican crow C jamaicensis with which it shares similar features The fourth Caribbean crow the palm crow C palmarum is a later arrival in evolutionary terms and shows characteristics more akin to North American species such as the fish crow C ossifragus which it is probably closely related to Cuban crowNear Zapata Swamp CubaConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClade DinosauriaClass AvesOrder PasseriformesFamily CorvidaeGenus CorvusSpecies C nasicusBinomial nameCorvus nasicusTemminck 1826Distribution map Contents 1 Distribution and habitat 2 Description 3 Diet 4 Call 5 Breeding 6 Image links 7 FootnotesDistribution and habitat EditIt can be found quite commonly over most of the large island of Cuba and on the nearby Isla de la Juventud as well as the Turks and Caicos islands in woodland and areas that have been cleared for agriculture It is frequently found around farms and villages where it seems to have adapted quite well to living in relatively close contact with human settlements nbsp 1838 illustration of Corvus nasicusDescription EditA stocky medium sized 40 42 centimetres or 16 17 inches in length forest crow the bill of this species is long and deep with a gentle curve towards the tip giving a large headed profile The nasal bristles sweep forward then upward and frequently reveal the nostrils which are hidden in almost all other members of the genus Corvus There is a patch of dark grey bare skin behind the browinsh red eye and at the base of the lower mandible The black plumage has a bluish purple gloss in good light The bill legs and feet are black Diet EditFood consists of fruit and insects though it does appear to take human food readily and will scavenge for scraps where the opportunity arises Large noisy flocks can be seen feeding in trees and it will also readily feed on the ground especially where grain and other seeds have been spilt or left unprotected on the surface of a field Call EditThe voice is quite remarkable and is rather un crow like with strange liquid bubbling notes and high ringing sounds produced in various combinations It also produces a thin screeched aaaaauh that rises in inflection Breeding EditThe nest is built in tall trees though little further information about breeding is recorded as yet Image links EditGood quality series of images Cuban Crow videos photos amp sounds on the eBirdFootnotes Edit BirdLife International 2017 Corvus nasicus IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017 e T22706010A118781571 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2017 3 RLTS T22706010A118781571 en Retrieved 11 November 2021 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Cuban crow amp oldid 1169363122, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
