White-necked Crow

White-necked Crow
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Corvidae
Genus:	Corvus
Species:	C. leucognaphalus
Binomial name
Corvus leucognaphalus Daudin, 1800
Distribution map

The White-necked Crow (Corvus leucognaphalus) is the largest (42–46 centimetres/17–18 inchesin length) of the four Caribbean crow species. Two other species, the Cuban Crow (Corvus nasicus) and the Jamaican Crow (Corvus jamaicensis), appear to be very closely related to it sharing several key morphological features. The fourth species from this region, the Palm Crow (Corvus palmarum), would appear to be a later arrival (at least in evolutionary terms) and shows affinities with the Fish Crow (C. ossifragus) of North America and two Mexican species.

A stocky bird, this forest crow is now found principally on the large island of Hispaniola that comprises the countries of Dominican Republic and Haiti. It was also found on Puerto Rico but is now considered to be extinct on that island since the early 20th Century due to considerable forest clearance and hunting. It inhabits both lowland and mountain forest and unlike the related Cuban Crow, does not appear to tolerate areas that have been cleared for farming. It often flies high over the forest canopy and soars on thermals unlike the conspecific Palm Crow which rarely if ever soars.

Description

The overall appearance is black with a bluish-purple gloss in good light. The black bill is long and deep and curves gently downward to the tip giving the bird a large headed appearance. The nasal bristles do not quite cover the nostrils unlike the majority of species in this genus. There is a patch of dark grey bare skin behind the eye and the base of the lower mandible has a bare strip of the same coloured skin. The iris is a distinctive reddish ochre in colour, and the legs and feet are black.

Diet

The diet is typical of most forest crows, comprising a large amount of fruit but a degree of invertebrate food is also taken especially when feeding young. Small vertebrate prey has also been found in the stomachs of collected birds including small native toads and nestlings. It can almost certainly be presumed that bird eggs are also taken when found.

Reproduction

The nest is always solitary and built high in a tall tree though little else concerning their breeding has as yet been recorded.

Voice

The voice of the White-necked Crow is quite remarkable and consists of a series of liquid bubbling sounds, squawking and babbling mixed with sweet and harsh notes including some that sound like the Common Raven, Corvus corax.

References

• BirdLife International (2004). Corvus leucognaphalus. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map, a brief justification of why this species is vulnerable, and the criteria used

External links

• BirdLife Species Factsheet.
• Two birds in Palm tree
• Head shot
• Single bird calling