| Cuban crow | |
|---|---|
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| NearZapata Swamp,Cuba | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Corvidae |
| Genus: | Corvus |
| Species: | C. nasicus |
| Binomial name | |
| Corvus nasicus Temminck, 1826 | |
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| Distribution map | |
TheCuban crow (Corvus nasicus) is acrow species native to the northern Caribbean.
Two other Caribbean crow species, thewhite-necked crow (C. leucognaphalus) ofHispaniolaand theJamaican crow(C. jamaicensis), appear to be very closely related to it, sharing several key morphological features. The ancestor of the fourth and fifth species from this region, theHispaniolan(C. palmarum) andCuban palm crows(C. minutus), would appear to be a later arrival (at least in evolutionary terms); both species show more similarities to thefish crow(C. ossifragus) of mainlandNorth Americaand twoMexicanspecies. This is despiteC. minutusbeingsympatricwithC. nasicus onCuba, indicating two distinct arrivals of crows onto the island, and a resultingniche differentiation, similar toC. leucognaphalusandC. palmarumonHispaniola.
A stocky, medium-sized (40–42 centimetres or 16–17 inches in length) forest crow, the bill of this species is long and deep with a gentle curve towards the tip giving a large headed profile. The nasal bristles sweep forward then upward and frequently reveal the nostrils which are hidden in almost all other members of the genusCorvus. There is a patch of dark grey bare skin behind the browinsh-red eye and at the base of the lower mandible. The black plumage has a bluish-purple gloss in good light. The bill, legs and feet are black.
It can be found quite commonly over most of theisland of Cuba and on the nearbyIsla de la Juventud, as well as theTurks and Caicos Islands, in woodland and areas that have been cleared for agriculture. It is frequently found around farms and villages where it seems to have adapted quite well to living in relatively close contact with human settlements.
Food consists offruit andinsects though it does appear to take human food readily and willscavenge for scraps where the opportunity arises. Large noisy flocks can be seen feeding in trees and it will also readily feed on the ground especially where grain and other seeds have been spilt or left unprotected on the surface of a field.
The voice is quite remarkable and is rather un-crow like, with strange liquid bubbling notes and high ringing sounds produced in various combinations. It also produces a thin screeched"aaaaauh" that rises in inflection.
The nest is built in tall trees, though little further information about breeding is recorded as yet.
