Somali Crow
Encyclopedia
The Somali Crow or Dwarf Raven, Corvus edithae is approximately the size (44-46 cm in length) of the Carrion Crow
, Corvus corone but with longer bill and somewhat more brownish cast to the feathers especially when worn.
This species occurs principally in Somalia
, Djibouti
, the Ogaden
and the Northern Frontier District
in the Horn of Africa
, and can be distinguished from larger Brown-necked Raven
C. ruficollis by its call (voice) and differences in its behaviour.
Though previously considered a subspecies of the larger C. ruficollis, it has recently been elevated to species
status, rather like the Hooded Crow
Corvus cornix from its near relative the Carrion Crow.
This species is now thought to be closer to the Pied Crow
C. albus especially in its behaviour than to the Brown-necked Raven. Hybrid birds between the Pied Crow and the Somali Crow (Dwarf Raven) appear to reinforce this close relationship where the two species meet.
The nest is a raven-like bulky structure set in either a lone tree or on telegraph poles. It will nest on cliffs in coastal regions or areas where trees are unavailable. The 3-5 eggs are laid in April and early May though little further information is recorded on their subsequent development.
The voice is described as a harsh "caw" rather like the Rook, Corvus frugilegus of Eurasia
.
Carrion Crow
The Carrion Crow is a member of the passerine order of birds and the crow family which is native to western Europe and eastern Asia.-Taxonomy:...
, Corvus corone but with longer bill and somewhat more brownish cast to the feathers especially when worn.
This species occurs principally in Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
, Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
, the Ogaden
Ogaden
Ogaden is the name of a territory comprising the southeastern portion of the Somali Regional State in Ethiopia. The inhabitants are predominantly ethnic Somali and Muslim. The title "Somali Galbeed", which means "Western Somalia," is often preferred by Somali irredentists.The region, which is...
and the Northern Frontier District
North Eastern Province (Kenya)
North Eastern Province is the third largest province in Kenya and has thirteen constituencies represented in the Kenya National Assembly.The region is home to a rare type of antelope called the Hirola, which is classified as an endangered species. The NFD's pastoralists also possess livestock in...
in the Horn of Africa
Horn of Africa
The Horn of Africa is a peninsula in East Africa that juts hundreds of kilometers into the Arabian Sea and lies along the southern side of the Gulf of Aden. It is the easternmost projection of the African continent...
, and can be distinguished from larger Brown-necked Raven
Brown-necked Raven
The Brown-necked Raven is a larger bird than the Carrion Crow though not as large as the Common Raven. It has similar proportions to the common raven but the bill is not so large or deep and the wings tend to be a little more pointed in profile...
C. ruficollis by its call (voice) and differences in its behaviour.
Though previously considered a subspecies of the larger C. ruficollis, it has recently been elevated to species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
status, rather like the Hooded Crow
Hooded Crow
The Hooded Crow is a Eurasian bird species in the crow genus. Widely distributed, it is also known locally as Scotch Crow, Danish Crow, and Corbie or Grey Crow in Ireland, which is what its Welsh name, Brân Lwyd, translates as...
Corvus cornix from its near relative the Carrion Crow.
This species is now thought to be closer to the Pied Crow
Pied Crow
The Pied Crow is a widely distributed African bird species in the crow genus.Structurally, the Pied Crow is better thought of as a small crow-sized Raven, especially as it can hybridise with the Somali Crow where their ranges meet in the Horn of Africa...
C. albus especially in its behaviour than to the Brown-necked Raven. Hybrid birds between the Pied Crow and the Somali Crow (Dwarf Raven) appear to reinforce this close relationship where the two species meet.
The nest is a raven-like bulky structure set in either a lone tree or on telegraph poles. It will nest on cliffs in coastal regions or areas where trees are unavailable. The 3-5 eggs are laid in April and early May though little further information is recorded on their subsequent development.
The voice is described as a harsh "caw" rather like the Rook, Corvus frugilegus of Eurasia
Eurasia
Eurasia is a continent or supercontinent comprising the traditional continents of Europe and Asia ; covering about 52,990,000 km2 or about 10.6% of the Earth's surface located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres...
.