The Torresian Crow (Corvus orru), also occasionally called the Australian Crow, is about the same size (50-55 cm in length) as the Eurasian Carrion Crow but with a more robust bill and slightly longer legs. It has the typical white iris of the other AustralasianCorvus species but can be distinguished from most (except the Little Crow) by the base of the head and neck feathers being snow white (revealed when blown by a strong wind). It also shuffles its wings after alighting.
Painting of Torresian Crow
Its range occupies the tropical north of Australia as far south as Brisbane on the east coast where the species seems to be adjusting well to a city life. Over much of this range, it is simple to distinguish from other species, as it is the only corvid found in northern Australia. The form described here is the mainland Australian race C. orru ceciliae but other races occur on various islands to the north such as C. orru orru (the nominate form from Papua New Guinea and the Moluccas), C. orru insularis from New Britain and nearby islands and lastly C. orru latirostris of Tenimber and Barbar Islands.
Adaptable and intelligent like its North American, European, African and Asian relatives, it has learned how to kill and eat the introduced poisonous Cane Toad without ingesting the poison by flipping it onto its back and delivering a lethal blow with its powerful bill. It is a little more wary than the southern corvids and seems to recognize the significance of anyone carrying a gun and quickly makes itself conspicuous by its absence.
Food: A typical crow in that it will take just about anything. It has been seen taking stranded fish on the seashore, carrion, human food scraps, fruit and insects.
Nest: Two to four eggs in large stick nest high in a tree.
Voice: Quite different from the Australian Raven. A nasal "uk-uk-uk-uk-uk" or sometimes an "ok-ok-ok-ok".
External links
Photo of Torresian Crow by water (http://www.ntbirds.com/PAGES/LARGE_images/BIGPICS/Torresian%20Crow.jpg)
Photo of Torresian Crow walking on lawn (http://www.mangoverde.com/birdsound/images/00000006262.jpg)
Urban bird walking on pavement (http://www.gt-works.com/yachoo/kissa/colum/australia/img_002/minamigarasu.jpg)
Crows in the northwestern U.S. (a blend of Corvus brachyrhynchos and Corvus caurinus) show modest linguistic capabilities and the ability to relay information over great distances, live in complex, hierarchic societies involving hundreds of individuals with various "occupations", and have an intense rivalry with the area's less socially advanced ravens.
Crows, and especially ravens, often feature in legends or mythology as portents or harbingers of doom or death, because of their dark plumage, unnerving calls, and tendency to eat carrion.
In mythology and folklore as a whole, crows tend to be symbolic more of the spiritual aspect of death, or the transition of the spirit into the afterlife, whereas ravens tend more often to be associated with the negative (physical) aspect of death.
The bases of the feathers of the crows are white, while those of the ravens are grey, although this characteristic is perhaps only of benefit if birds are held in the hand or if discarded feathers are found.
Crows and ravens are found throughout Australia, in all habitat types, with the exception of the more arid areas of Western Australia.
One concern with the possible establishment of the House Crow in Australia, is its record as a pest of crops.
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