Little Crow (bird)

Little Crow (bird)
Little Crow
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Corvidae
Genus: Corvus
Species: C. bennetti
Binomial name
Corvus bennetti
North, 1901
For the Dakota chief see Little Crow

The Little Crow (Corvus bennetti) is an Australian species of crow, very similar to the Torresian Crow in having white bases to the neck and head feathers (shown when ruffled in strong wind) but slightly smaller (42-48 cm in length) and with a proportionately smaller bill. It has the same white iris that distinguish the Australian species from all other Corvus except a few island species to the north of Australia, and one from Eurasia, the Jackdaw (Corvus monedula). Like the Australian Raven, this species usually has a blue ring around the pupil and sometimes one around the very outer edge of the white iris too.

Contents

Distribution and habitat

It ranges over western and central Australia, often inhabiting very dry, near desert areas. It frequents small country towns and cultivated areas, where its flocks have reminded people of the European Rook.

Behaviour

Diet

Its food is mainly taken from the ground and includes insects, cereals and other seeds. It is less of a scavenger or carrion feeder than the other Australian species.

Nesting

It usually nests in small, loose colonies, building stick nests lined with mud (the only Australian species to do this).

Voice

Its voice is a "nark-nark-nark-nark". It also has a more typical crow-like "kah-kah-kah" call.

Image links

References

  • BirdLife International (2004). Corvus bennetti. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 5 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern