Cuban Crow Corvus nasicus Scientific name definitions

Most frequently located by its liquid bubbling and gurgling calls, which somewhat resemble a parrot’s vocalizations, the Cuban Crow is present locally over much of the main island of Cuba, as well as the Isle of Youth, and three islands in the southern Bahamas. It is by the far more widespread and abundant of Cuba’s two corvids, although the two species are difficult to distinguish, except vocally, and frequently flock together in the few areas where the Palm Crow (Corvus palmarum) also occurs. The Cuban Crow is a large, all-black crow with rather longer wings and deeper wingbeats than the Palm Crow, but other differences (such as the relative length of the nasal bristles) are much more difficult to appreciate. It inhabits semi-open and wooded areas, included agricultural regions, and feeds both on the ground and arboreally, on invertebrates and fruits. The Cuban Crow builds a rough stick nest, often in a palm tree, and usually high above the ground; a typical clutch is 3–4 eggs, and the nesting season lasts from March to July at least.

40–42 cm; 330–510 g. A moderate-sized crow with upturned nasal bristles that do not cover nostrils; relatively long bill. Plumage is deep black with slight blue-purple gloss, body feathers with grey bases; iris brown, patch of bare skin behind eye and at base of bill; bill and legs black. Distinguished from <em>C. pal­marum</em> by longer and less stout bill, and by longer wings and slower, heavier wingbeats in flight. Sexes similar, male slightly larger than female. Juvenile is slightly duller than adult.

Cuba, I of Pines, Cayo Coco, Cayo Romano, Cayo Guajaba and Cayo Sabinal, and Turks and Caicos Is (mainly Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos).

Omnivorous. Feeds in trees and on ground on invertebrates, fruits and berries. Formal dietary studies lacking. Often observed in small, noisy groups. Readily flocks with C. palmarum. Singly and in pairs, sometimes in larger groups.

Vocalizations quite musical, and less nasal and abrupt than those of C. palmarum. Ringing, high-pitched “aaaaauh” rising in inflection, liquid bubbling, trilling and chattering similar to sounds made by C. jamaicensis. Raven-like croaks and guttural chatter of great variety.

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Common to locally abundant. Often persecuted by man, and may have been reduced in numbers as extensive forests have been cleared. Use of partially cleared forest, edges, agricultural areas and settlements reveals adaptation to human activities.