Wikipedia: Torresian Crow

Torresian Crow
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Torresian Crow

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Corvidae
Genus:	Corvus
Species:	orru

Binomial name

Corvus orru

The Torresian Crow (Corvus orru), also occasionally called the Australian Crow, is about the same size as the Eurasian Carrion Crow but with a more robust bill and slightly longer legs. It has the typical white iris of the other Australasian Corvus 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. The average length of the Torresion Crow is 50cm.

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 occour 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.

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