Not Just A Crow

If anyone ask a question, Name any ten birds you know. There is almost 80% chance that Crow will be in that list. If anyone is lying in India, it is often said that, “Don’t lie otherwise cow will come and bite you”. Also, it is very subtly blamed on Crows if any of the toys is miss placed by child by saying, “Definitely, a crow must have taken it”. Poor crow has no choice than to “live with this blame”. At the same time there are many mythological connections related this commonest bird. Majority of them are related to extreme adaptability of this bird and its observation skills and its immense intelligence.

Crows are some of the smartest creatures in the animal kingdom. They are capable of making rule-guided decisions and of creating and using tools. These crows are also known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities.

In India, the Indian house crow (Corvus splendens), also known as the house crow, is a common and adaptable bird, thriving in both urban and rural areas, and is considered a Least Concern species by the IUCN.

Crows are social birds and live in large and close-knitted families. They are found in a variety of habitats, including urban areas, villages, and forests. These omnivores and eat a wide variety of food, including insects, small animals, fruits, nuts, seeds, and carrion.

Their breeding season is mainly March–April in northern India and earlier in southern India. This coincides with breeding season of Asian Koel. Asian Koel being a brood parasite lays its eggs in crow’s nest. This is one of the natural control measures of Crow population.

Crow plays very crucial role in the ecosystem. Crows, like vultures, are natural scavengers, meaning they feed on dead animals and plants, helping to keep the environment clean and preventing the spread of diseases. Their scavenger behavior is important for maintaining ecological balance and cleanliness in their habitats.

So, this most commonest yet most ignored bird of our cities require little more respect as its doing its bit to keep our cities clean.

Species: Corvus splendens (Indian house crow).

Common names: Indian house crow, house crow, Indian crow, grey-necked crow, Ceylon crow, Colombo crow.

Family: Corvidae.

Conservation Status: IUCN Status: Least Concerned.

Breeding: The breeding season is mainly March–April in northern India and earlier in southern India.