Large-billed Crow

Large-billed Crow    Corvus macrorhynchos

Etymology:

  • Corvus : Latin Word for Raven
  • Macrorhynchos : Macro – Large, Rhynchos – Billed {Large Billed}

Distribution in India: Resident of Himalayas

Description: Size of 46-49 cm. It has a peaked forehead, plumage entirely black, head, neck and upperparts, including wing and tail, strongly glossed, upper surface of wing and central tail feathers shot with purple; underparts black with strong sheen; bases of neck feathers pale grey, throat feathers with notched hackles; iris dark brown; long bill and legs black.Sexes similar, female on average smaller than male, with less arched culmen and less strongly graduated tail.

Habitat: It is found Forests and woodland of all types across its wide range. In Himalayas ranges to upper limits of tree-line about 4500 m. Found in abundance near Human settlements and domestic cattle

Food Habits: It’s an Omnivores scavenger. Hunts small mammals like rats, squirrel and also crustaceans like crab and invertebrates like centipedes , grasshoppers and locusts , moths and caterpillars , beetles , ants and termites. Also takes variety of fruit, both wild and cultivate and variety of cereals. Also feeds among foliage of a variety of flowering taking both nectar and petals. Usually encountered in pairs or family parties, often feeding with other birds in fruiting trees; larger congregations at good food sources

Breeding Habits: They breed in April-May. Has long-term pair-bond. Solitary breeder. Nest built by both sexes, a platform of twigs and sticks, with deep cup lined with soft materials such as wool and hair, and placed about 7–10 m above ground in prominent tree fork, sometimes in crown of palm. Lays a Clutch of 3–6 eggs ,incubation almost entirely by female for a period of 17–19 days .The chicks fed by both parents and leave the nest at 3 or 4 weeks; family-members roost close to nest for. Nests parasitized by Common Koel.