Pied Crow
Corvus albus
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Pied Crow is a striking bird with distinctive black and white plumage. Its head, throat, wings, and tail are glossy black, contrasting sharply with a white collar, breast, and belly. The bird has a large, slightly curved black bill and dark eyes.
Both males and females share the same appearance, making them indistinguishable in the field. Juveniles resemble adults but may have a duller plumage and a brownish tinge to their black feathers.
Size
Length
46cm to 52cm
Wingspan
85cm to 100cm
Weight
520g to 650g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black White
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Pied Crows are widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Somalia and south to South Africa. They inhabit various open and semi-open habitats, including savannas, woodlands, and coastal areas.
These birds have successfully adapted to human-modified environments and are common in urban areas, villages, and agricultural lands. They are non-migratory and maintain their territories year-round.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 3,700 meters
Climate zones
Tropical, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Pied Crow. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Pied Crow demonstrates high agility through its acrobatic flight displays during breeding season and its ability to navigate diverse environments, from urban areas to natural habitats.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
With a robust build and strong bill, the Pied Crow possesses considerable strength for its size, enabling it to probe for food and handle a variety of prey items, including small vertebrates.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Exceptionally adaptable, the Pied Crow thrives in a wide range of habitats from sea level to 3,700 metres, successfully exploiting urban environments and showing remarkable intelligence in tool use and problem-solving.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
While not overly aggressive, Pied Crows display bold behaviour around humans and are known to raid nests of other birds, indicating a moderate to high level of assertiveness when necessary.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
The Pied Crow's ability to maintain territories year-round, coupled with its success in diverse climates and elevations, suggests strong endurance. Its opportunistic feeding habits also contribute to its stamina.
Diet
Pied Crows are opportunistic omnivores with a varied diet. They feed on insects, small vertebrates, eggs, carrion, and human food scraps.
They're also known to consume frogs, small birds, fish, rodents, and lizards and have the impressive ability to capture small birds, locusts, and bats while in the air. Roosting Fruit Bats are also occasionally predated.
These adaptable birds are known to raid the nests of other birds and scavenge in urban areas, demonstrating their resourcefulness in finding food.
Behaviour
Pied Crows are highly adaptable and intelligent birds. They are often seen foraging on the ground in pairs or small groups, using their strong bills to probe for food.
These birds are known for their bold behavior around humans and their ability to exploit various food sources in urban environments.
Vocalisation
Pied Crows have a repertoire of vocalizations, with their most common call being a loud, harsh 'caw-caw' or 'kra-kra'. They also produce a variety of softer croaks, rattles, and guttural sounds, especially during social interactions or when alarmed.
Nesting & Breeding
Pied Crows typically form monogamous pairs and breed during the dry season, which varies across their range. Courtship involves aerial displays and mutual preening.
Nests are built high in trees or on man-made structures, constructed of sticks and lined with softer materials. The female lays 3-6 pale green or blue eggs with brown speckles.
Both parents incubate the eggs for about 18-19 days. The chicks fledge after 35-40 days but may remain with their parents for several months after leaving the nest.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
The Pied Crow is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its large range and increasing population. Its adaptability to human-modified environments has contributed to its success. However, in some areas, it may face localized threats from persecution or habitat changes.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Pied Crows in open areas, particularly near human settlements
- Listen for their distinctive 'caw-caw' calls, which are often given in flight
- Observe their behavior around garbage dumps or markets, where they often scavenge
- Watch for their acrobatic flight displays during the breeding season
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Adult Pied Crows have few natural predators due to their size and intelligence. However, eggs and nestlings may fall prey to snakes, raptors, and larger mammals.
Did You Know?
- Pied Crows are known to use tools, such as sticks, to probe for food in hard-to-reach places.
- They have been observed engaging in cooperative hunting, working together to catch small animals.
- In some African cultures, Pied Crows are considered symbols of wisdom and are featured in local folklore.
Similar Birds
References
- 1 3
website: BirdLife International. 2017. Corvus albus (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22735894A118783820.
View source - 2
report, 1993: Madge and Burn
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