About the New Caledonian Crow
The New Caledonian crow is a medium-sized member of the family Corvidae, native to New Caledonia. The bird is often referred to as the 'qua-qua' due to its distinctive call. It eats a wide range of food, including many types of invertebrates, eggs, nestlings, small mammals, snails, nuts and seeds. The New Caledonian crow sometimes captures grubs in nooks or crevices by poking a twig at the grub to agitate it into biting the twig, which the crow then withdraws with the grub still attached. This method of feeding indicates the New Caledonian crow is capable of tool use. They are also able to make hooks. This species is also capable of solving a number of sophisticated cognitive tests which…
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ID tip
The New Caledonian crow is a moderate-sized crow (40 centimetres (16 in) in length), similar in size to the house crow, but less slender-looking. The bird has an all-black appearance with a rich gloss to its feathers of purple, dark blue and some green in good light. The beak, feet and legs are all black. The beak is moderate in size but is unusual in that the tip of the lower mandible is angled upwards, making it somewhat chisel-like in profile. It has been suggested that this beak morphology evolved due to the selective pressure of needing to hold a tool straight.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in France.
When to see it
Peak activity in November · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Long-billed CrowCorvus validusThe long-billed crow is a large crow growing from 45 to 53 cm (18 to 21 in) in length including its relatively short tail.
Somali CrowCorvus edithaeThe Somali crow, or dwarf raven, is approximately the size of the carrion crow, Corvus corone but with a longer bill and a somewhat more brownish cast to the feathers, especially when worn.
Bismarck CrowCorvus insularisThe Bismarck crow is a species of crow found in the Bismarck Archipelago.
Learn the New Caledonian Crow for real
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