A House Crow foraging on the park grounds
A House Crow alight a tree branch observing and scheming its next move
Jet-black body plumage combined with distinct gray segments
Sharing the foraging ground with the Indian Mynah and the Hoopoe
The "crow gang" squawking up in the branches
A large group of crows is called a "MURDER"
Generalist and highly adaptable House Crows will take advantage of whatever is available
This group looks like they are discussing their next "food raid"
House Crows engaged in securing their portion from a left-over bread loot
Dark silhouette of a sinister, opportunistic and highly intelligent bird
My quiet bright summer morning stroll at the Dubai Creek Park was broken by the resounding squawking sound of "kaa, kaaa, kaaa" emanating from the heights of the tree branches. A large group or avidly called "murder" of crows occupied the trees. These birds were monitoring my approach, watching me as I step closer and closer to their arboreal territory, the squawking sound getting louder and louder! The alerted birds were moving from branch to branch and unto the adjacent trees, still squawking and eyes still focused on the explorer-intruder. The loud squawking only ceased when I picked-up my pace and moved away from their choice trees.
THE HOUSE CROW, Corvus splendens
House crows are medium-sized birds, weighing 250-415g, with a wing span of 76-85cm and a body length of 42-44cm.
The nape, neck and breast are grayish while the whole body plumage is jet-black along with its forehead, chin, the long bill and long legs. Males and female crows are similar in appearance. The juveniles appear duller in color compared with the adults.
The scientific name Corvus splendens means "shining raven".
They are also called the Indian, Greynecked, Ceylon or Colombo Crow.
DISTRIBUTION of HOUSE CROWS, Corvus splendens
House crows are a native of the Indian subcontinent, including the whole of India, Pakistan, the Maldives and Sri Lanka. These birds have been introduced are now present in the whole of the Arabian Peninsula and Gulf countries, Eastern and Southern Africa. It is also now present in Myanmar, Malaysia and Singapore. The spread of these birds is associated with shipping trade routes (the birds were chance passenger and stowaways on the ships carrying goods from the subcontinent).
Corvus splendens are omnivores, opportunistic and highly intelligent. They are regarded as specialist, urban commensal birds. They are very gregarious and can become aggressive. They are also listed as INVASIVE BIRD species.
Awesome summer morning bird watching experience!
Awesome creatures! Awesome CREATOR!
MORE NOTES on BIODYNAMICS will be discussed on PART 2.
Thanks for your support and careful attention.
If you need Pest Management Training, Technical Field Support, On-Line and On-Site Consultancy, please feel free to send me an email: odelon.reyes@gmail.com
I like these birds cause they are highly intelligent. Just wondering why they called a large group of crows as MURDER 🤔
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome question Mr Ranger! There are several explanations why the flock pf crows is called a murder. There in a folk tale that crows gather together and decide the fate of a crow in error or does not belong to their group and the whole group collectively kills the errant crow. Another one is the habit of crows to be associated with the presence of large in cemeteries and their association with dead bodies especially during the time of wars. There is this macabre reason connected with this poetic group call.
DeleteLittle snatcher?😅 BUT beautiful creature indeed!😇
ReplyDeleteYes Ms Ivy! Crows can be very fast and smart thieves! Don't let them snatch your snacks!
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