Jamaican crow
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Corvus jamaicensis

The Jamaican crow (Corvus jamaicensis ) is a comparatively small corvid (35–38 cm in length). It shares several key morphological features with two other West Indian species, the Cuban crow (Corvus nasicus ) and the white-necked crow (Corvus leucognaphalus ) of Hispaniola, which are very closely related to it.

Appearance

The overall appearance is sooty-grey, not at all glossy, like its relatives; though it does possess a similar dark grey patch of naked skin just behind the eye, and a smaller naked patch at the base of the bill. The bill itself is slate-grey and quite deep, tapering to a sharp point. The nasal bristles are relatively sparse usually leaving the nostrils on view. The iris is either grey-brown or red-brown, possibly depending on age. The legs and feet are black.

Distribution

Geography

Continents
Countries
Biogeographical realms

As its name suggests, this species is found on the island of Jamaica, where it inhabits woodland mixed with cleared areas, and can be frequently found in larger gardens. Though primarily a bird of hill and mountain forest, it comes down to lower elevations during the dry season, where it is more likely to be seen.

Jamaican crow habitat map
Jamaican crow habitat map

Diet and Nutrition

A forest crow by nature, its food requirements contain a significant proportion of fruit taken from trees, either in pairs or small groups. It also probes under bark and leaf litter for small invertebrates and lizards, and it is known to raid other birds nests of both eggs and nestlings.

Mating Habits

The nest itself is usually built in tall trees; this species may also use tree holes as a possible nesting option, although not yet recorded for this species and its breeding habits.

References

1. Jamaican crow Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_crow
2. Jamaican crow on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22706007/182093614
3. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/379744

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