Caw… caw … caw, a call to call to rally for crows

The crows and the much larger ravens, members of the bird family corvidae, got attention this week globally, with International Crow and Raven Appreciation Day falling on April 27.

Even though there are no ravens in Sri Lanka there are two types of crows in urban and village settings, said Colombo University's Zoology professor Sampath S e n ev i r a t n e. T h e b i rd researcher also told the Sunday Times that out of two species of crow, the corvus splendens which is also referred as ‘ Colombo crow’, has a greyish neck and is found in more urbanised areas. The village crow ( corvus macrorhynchos) is larger and has a much broader bill. It is a darker shade of black.

In western countries, the ravens are deemed to be wise birds and are celebrated. The raven (corvus corax) is the one of the largest among the corvidae family.

Prof Seneviratne said the species of crow found in Sri Lanka are omnivores and have adapted to urbanised areas. Crows roost, nest near urban settlements and have adapted to feeding on human leftovers. Crows also drive off other animals away from their areas.

He said that when garbage is properly managed it can help reduce the numbers of crows.

Two separate research work has been undertaken on the two species, he said.

The urban crow species is also found in Singapore, and some cities of Thailand and Malaysia. DNA analysis shows that those crows had originated from Colombo, he said.