Large-billed Crow

Overview

The large-billed crow (Corvus macrorhynchos), formerly known as the jungle crow, is a widespread and adaptable Asian corvid. Its versatility in diet and habitat allows it to colonise new areas, though this often leads to it being considered a nuisance species, particularly on islands.

Identification

• All-black plumage with a purple sheen and pale grey bases to the neck feathers.
• Large black bill with an arched culmen, the size of which varies significantly by subspecies.
• Dark brown irises and black legs; juveniles have less glossy plumage and smoky blue irises.
• Deep, resonant voice often described as a loud "caa-haa-caa", with some calls resembling woodpecker drumming.

Habitat

The range extends from the northeastern Asian seaboard to Afghanistan and eastern Iran, covering South, Southeast, and East Asia. It inhabits woodland, parks, gardens, and cultivated regions with trees, though it prefers more open country in the southern part of its range.

Diet

Extremely versatile in feeding, it takes food from the ground or in trees, consuming a wide range of live or dead animal and plant material. It is a persistent forager, often ripping open garbage bags in urban areas, and in Sri Lanka, it is an important predator of small animals such as lizards.

Did you know?

Subspecies of the large-billed crow in Japan are known for unprovoked attacks on humans, particularly when passing near their nesting areas. They are also noted for hoarding behaviour and stealing wire coat hangers to construct their nests.