Kingdom Animalia Order Passeriformes Scientific name Corvus leucognaphalus Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Genus Corvus Higher classification Crow | |
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Similar Crow, Bird, Crow family, Palm crow, Jamaican crow | ||
The white-necked crow (Corvus leucognaphalus) is the largest (42–46 centimetres or 17–18 inches in 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.
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A stocky bird, this forest crow is now found principally on the large island of Hispaniola that comprises the countries of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. 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 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.
