White-necked crow
The white-necked crow (Corvus leucognaphalus) is the largest 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 similarities to the fish crow (C. ossifragus) of North America and two Mexican species, despite it also being native to Hispaniola.
| White-necked crow | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Corvidae |
| Genus: | Corvus |
| Species: | C. leucognaphalus |
| Binomial name | |
| Corvus leucognaphalus Daudin, 1800 | |
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| Distribution map | |
A stocky bird, this forest crow is found on the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic). It was formerly native to Puerto Rico, but is extirpated there 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 palm crow, which rarely, if ever, soars.
Description
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It is the largest Caribbean corvid, measuring 42–46 centimetres or 17–18 inches in length. The overall appearance is black, with a bluish-purple gloss in good light; despite its name, its neck is completely black. 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 crimson red 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 unusual for a corvid, described as sounding more like a parrot, 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 (2012). "Corvus leucognaphalus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)