Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos is corvid about which there is much taxonomic uncertainty. As currently conceived has eight subspecies, ranging from Afghanistan to Sakhalin and Lesser Sundas. Distribution encompasses much of China. In Northeast China mandshuricus, tibetosinensis southern Qinghai to Yunnan, intermedius south Tibet, and colonorum central and southern China (including Taiwan and Hainan). HABITAT & BEHAVIOR Supremely adaptable, intelligent, omnivorous scavenger, found in largest urban areas, around villages and agricultural land, by woodlands, and in mountains above tree line, at altitudes ranging from sea level to 6400 m (21,000 ft.). Eats wide array of fruits and cereals as well as animal items, both vertebrate (including nestlings and birds’ eggs) and invertebrate, living and dead; often seen on roadsides eating roadkill. Feeds almost entirely on ground, though commonly steals away with a piece of half-eaten fruit and devours it on a perch. Gathers in large roosts, especially in winter. Often forages with Carrion Crow C. corone. ID & COMPARISON Races differ in bill size, overall size, and glossiness but are alike in having steep forehead and heavy bill that is not as heavy as larger Northern Raven C. corax. Mid-sized colonorum has entirely black plumage with variable purplish or bluish sheen. Ssp. mandshuricus and tibetosinensis are large, and tibetosinensis is very glossy; intermedius has white bases to neck feathers. Northern Raven is almost always larger than even largest races of Large-billed Crow and has longer wings and neck, shaggier feathers on throat, and heavier bill with straighter culmen. In flight Northern Raven shows more pronounced fingers on primaries and more wedge-shaped tail. Carrion Crow has flatter crown and slimmer, less deeply arched bill. House Crow C. splendens noticeably smaller. BARE PARTS Long bill black, with deeply arched culmen, and bristly feathers covering base of upper mandible. Feet black. VOICE Noisy and vocal. Vocalizations vary among races, but all have variations of hoarse, grouchy caw and mocking awa-awa as well as croaks, groans, and burps. — Craig Brelsford
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Daniel Bengtsson served as chief ornithological consultant for Craig Brelsford’s Photographic Field Guide to the Birds of China, from which this species description is drawn.
