Species · GBIF taxon 2482499
House Crow
Corvus splendensAlso known as Indian Crow, Grey-necked Crow, Ceylon Crow, Colombo Crow
House crows are highly social and exceptionally bold birds that thrive almost exclusively alongside human settlements, utilizing ships to colonize ports worldwide. They display remarkable problem-solving intelligence, often working in pairs to distract other animals and steal food. Their harsh, nasal cawing is a constant soundtrack in cities across their native and introduced ranges.
IntelligentAdaptableUrban
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Insects
- Small rodents
- Bird eggs
Predators
- Birds of prey
- Feral cats
- Humans
ThreatsPersecution as an invasive pest, poisoning campaigns
HabitatsUrban areas, towns, agricultural land, coastal ports
Life span6 to 12 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCorvidae
- SpeciesCorvus splendens
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Nesting pairs may dive-bomb and scratch intruders; keep a respectful distance during breeding season.
- Why it is dangerous
- Nesting adults aggressively defend their territory by dive-bombing and scratching the heads of perceived intruders.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a slim crow with a distinctive grey-brown collar contrasting against a glossy black face and crown.
- What to do
- Avoid lingering near active nests, and wear a hat or carry an umbrella if dive-bombed.
Responsible observation
- Watch for tool use: Observe them using sticks or wire to extract food from tight crevices.
- Keep food secure: Secure outdoor trash bins to prevent them from scattering litter while foraging.
- Respect nesting territory: Walk wide of trees where they are nesting to avoid defensive dive-bombing.
Competitor (c) Paul Bedell, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Paul Bedell · cc-by-sa
Frequent Companion (c) jraus, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Alexis Lours / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
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