Jamaican Crow
Encyclopedia
The Jamaican Crow, Corvus jamaicensis is a comparatively small crow species (35–38 cm in length). It shares several key morphological features with two further West Indian species, the Cuban Crow
, Corvus nasicus and the White-necked Crow
, Corvus leucognaphalus of Hispaniola
which are almost certainly very closely related to it.
As its name suggests, this species is found on the moderately sized island of Jamaica
where it inhabits woodland mixed with cleared areas and can be frequently found in larger gardens also. 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.
The overall appearance of this species is of a sooty-grey bird, not at all glossy like its near 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. Legs and feet are black.
Another 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 etc. and it is known to raid other birds nests of both eggs and nestlings.
The nest itself is usually built in a tall tree though this species may well use tree holes also as a possible nesting option although little further information is as yet recorded for this species and its breeding habits.
The voice, like its two nearest relatives is very distinctive and consists of various jabbering and bubbling sounds (thus its common Jamaican Patois name, Jabbering Crow), but also including a more crow-like "craa-craa" sound on occasion.
Cuban Crow
The Cuban Crow is one of four species of crow that occur on a few key islands in the Caribbean. It is closely related to the White-necked Crow and Jamaican Crow , with which it shares similar features. The fourth Caribbean crow, the Palm Crow The Cuban Crow (Corvus nasicus) is one of four species...
, Corvus nasicus and the White-necked Crow
White-necked Crow
The White-necked Crow is the largest of the four Caribbean crow species. Two other species, the Cuban Crow and the Jamaican Crow , appear to be very closely related to it sharing several key morphological features...
, Corvus leucognaphalus of Hispaniola
Hispaniola
Hispaniola is a major island in the Caribbean, containing the two sovereign states of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The island is located between the islands of Cuba to the west and Puerto Rico to the east, within the hurricane belt...
which are almost certainly very closely related to it.
As its name suggests, this species is found on the moderately sized island of Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
where it inhabits woodland mixed with cleared areas and can be frequently found in larger gardens also. 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.
The overall appearance of this species is of a sooty-grey bird, not at all glossy like its near 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. Legs and feet are black.
Another 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 etc. and it is known to raid other birds nests of both eggs and nestlings.
The nest itself is usually built in a tall tree though this species may well use tree holes also as a possible nesting option although little further information is as yet recorded for this species and its breeding habits.
The voice, like its two nearest relatives is very distinctive and consists of various jabbering and bubbling sounds (thus its common Jamaican Patois name, Jabbering Crow), but also including a more crow-like "craa-craa" sound on occasion.