Torresian Crow
Corvus orru
The Torresian Crow (Corvus orru) is a common crows, jays, and magpi found in 3 countries, weighing about 508 g. The Torresian crow, also called the Australian crow or Papuan crow, is a passerine bird in the crow family native to the north and west of Australia and nearby islands in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
About the Torresian Crow
The Torresian crow, also called the Australian crow or Papuan crow, is a passerine bird in the crow family native to the north and west of Australia and nearby islands in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The species has a black plumage, beak and mouth with white irises. The base of the feathers on the head and neck are white. The Torresian crow is slightly larger with a more robust bill than the morphologically similar little crow.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The Torresian crow is a large corvid, about the same size (48–53 cm in length) as the Eurasian carrion crow but with a more robust bill and slightly longer legs. The plumage of the Torresian crow is glossy black on the back and dull black on the breast with inconspicuous throat hackles. Its tail is broad and has a distinctive square-shaped tip. Its bill is dark grey and about the same length as the head. The legs and feet are a similar dark grey color with pink foot soles. The Torresian crow has the typical white iris of the other Australasian Corvus species with a fine, blue eye-ring. Voice: Their voice is quite different from the Australian raven: whilst the more standard loud penetrating Australian raven/crow call "Fark! Fark!" may occur there is often a more nasal, metallic clattering "uk-uk-uk-uk-uk" or sometimes an "ok-ok-ok-ok" or "Ar-ar-argh", sometimes with an upward inflection, somewhat like a cat meow.
Where it lives
When to see it
The Torresian Crow can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Torresian Crow?
- The Torresian crow is a large corvid, about the same size (48–53 cm in length) as the Eurasian carrion crow but with a more robust bill and slightly longer legs. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Torresian Crow?
- The Torresian Crow is a large sized bird weighing about 508 g.
- Where can you see a Torresian Crow?
- The Torresian Crow occurs in 3 countries, including Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.
- What birds look similar to a Torresian Crow?
- The Torresian Crow is most easily confused with the Pied Crow, the Little Raven and the Australian Raven.
- Is the Torresian Crow endangered?
- The Torresian Crow is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Torresian Crow for real
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