Flores Crow Corvus florensis Scientific name definitions

W Flores, in Lesser Sundas.

ENDANGERED. Restricted-range species: present in Northern Nusa Tenggara EBA. Rare. Formerly found throughout Flores, but now virtually restricted to rainforests at extreme W end of the island, where occurs in four prime areas: Wolo Tadho Nature Reserve, Mbeliling, Sano Nggoang and Nggorang Bowosie (at E limit of regular recent sightings on N coast, with Kisol at E limit on S coast). Has been reported also from Wae Wuul Nature Reserve, near Mbura. It is important that further forest reserves are allocated or extended, and protection implemented. Until at least 1998 was present much farther E on N coast, at Mausambi, and could well exist as small pockets elsewhere in E and in interior and C parts of the island. A forest inhabitant, and has always had reputation for being rare and poorly known. Seems to be intolerant of forest clearance, and at most of its "regular" sites the impression is that it is definitely decreasing, presumably through forest fragmentation. Forest clearance has also allowed considerable range expansion of larger C. macrorhynchos on Flores, which could result in potential nest predation by latter. Present species reported as having reputation in some villages for stealing chicken eggs, and some villagers regard it as a pest and put out eggs laced with DDT to poison the crows. Rate of forest destruction on Flores is alarming; clearly, the only way to save this corvid is by creating large forest reserves and strictly enforcing logging controls, as well as through programmes aimed at increasing public awareness of the island's unique wildlife.