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Locally common or abundant. | Locally common or abundant. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | Clements regards this species as [[Dictionary_M- | + | Clements regards this species as [[Dictionary_M-O#M|monotypic]]<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>.<br /> |
Other sources<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup> recognize two subspecies: | Other sources<sup>[[#References|[2]]]</sup> recognize two subspecies: | ||
* ''C. r. rhipidurus'' in [[Africa]] | * ''C. r. rhipidurus'' in [[Africa]] | ||
* ''C. r. stanleyi'' in the [[Middle East]] and Arabian Peninsula | * ''C. r. stanleyi'' in the [[Middle East]] and Arabian Peninsula | ||
Sometimes placed in its own genus ''[[:Category:Rhinocorax|Rhinocorax]]''. | Sometimes placed in its own genus ''[[:Category:Rhinocorax|Rhinocorax]]''. | ||
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==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Gorges, canyons and barren desert cliffs. Seen foraging near oasis and human settlements. From sea-level up to 2400m, sometimes up to 4000m. | Gorges, canyons and barren desert cliffs. Seen foraging near oasis and human settlements. From sea-level up to 2400m, sometimes up to 4000m. | ||
Revision as of 20:55, 10 July 2014
- Corvus rhipidurus
Identification
46 - 47cm. An unmistakable, small raven:
- Very short tail, rounded at tip. Wing projection goes well beyond tail when sitting
- Flat crown
- Small, stubby bill
- In flight bat-like appearance with short tail and broad-based wings
- Plumage black
- Dark brown eye
- Black bill and legs
Sexes similar but female much smaller. Juveniles similar to adult with shorter throat feathers and more rounded wings.
Distribution
Sub-Saharan Africa (locally south of Sahara, highlands of Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia to east Uganda and Kenya), southern Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula.
Locally common or abundant.
Taxonomy
Clements regards this species as monotypic[1].
Other sources[2] recognize two subspecies:
- C. r. rhipidurus in Africa
- C. r. stanleyi in the Middle East and Arabian Peninsula
Sometimes placed in its own genus Rhinocorax.
Habitat
Gorges, canyons and barren desert cliffs. Seen foraging near oasis and human settlements. From sea-level up to 2400m, sometimes up to 4000m.
Behaviour
Usually seen in pairs or small flocks.
Diet
Feeds on grain, berries, dates and insects. Takes also eggs or nestlings out of nests and scavenges around human settlements. Sometimes rides on goats and camels in search for ectoparasits.
Breeding
Breeding season differs through range. A solitary nester. The nest is a flimsy structure made of twigs and placed in a crevice on a cliff face. Very rarely in a tree or a building. Lays 2 - 6 eggs. Sometimes paratisitized by Great Spotted Cuckoo.
A sedentary species with some dispersal in winter.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Fan-tailed Raven. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Fan-tailed_Raven
