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Sexes similar. Juveniles with all black bill and duller than adult. | Sexes similar. Juveniles with all black bill and duller than adult. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
| − | Southern and | + | Southern and eastern [[Africa]].<br /> |
Found from [[Uganda]] and western [[Kenya]] south to [[Democratic Republic of Congo]], [[Rwanda]], [[Burundi]], [[Tanzania]], [[Zambia]], [[Malawi]], [[Mozambique]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[South Africa]], [[Swaziland]] and [[Lesotho]]. Vagrants recorded in [[Botswana]], [[Namibia]] and [[Sudan]].<br /> | Found from [[Uganda]] and western [[Kenya]] south to [[Democratic Republic of Congo]], [[Rwanda]], [[Burundi]], [[Tanzania]], [[Zambia]], [[Malawi]], [[Mozambique]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[South Africa]], [[Swaziland]] and [[Lesotho]]. Vagrants recorded in [[Botswana]], [[Namibia]] and [[Sudan]].<br /> | ||
Locally common and in some parts of distribution regarded as pest because of it's sheep-killing habits. | Locally common and in some parts of distribution regarded as pest because of it's sheep-killing habits. | ||
Revision as of 14:01, 25 February 2010
- Corvus albicollis
Identification
50 - 56cm. A large, unmistakable raven:
- Short tail and broad-based wings
- Plumage mainly black
- Black-brown throat, blackish-brown breast and neck with faint purple gloss
- Large patch of white feathers on the back of the lower neck
- Deep, arched bill with white tip
Sexes similar. Juveniles with all black bill and duller than adult.
Distribution
Southern and eastern Africa.
Found from Uganda and western Kenya south to Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. Vagrants recorded in Botswana, Namibia and Sudan.
Locally common and in some parts of distribution regarded as pest because of it's sheep-killing habits.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Forms a species pair with Thick-billed Raven and with the latter sometimes placed in genus Corvultur.
Habitat
Small towns and villages with nearby mountains or hills for roosting.
Mostly recorded between 1000 and 3000m, locally higher.
Behaviour
Much of day thermalling high, often with vultures. Usually foraging alone or in pairs.
The diet includes carrion from road kills, fruit, grain, insects, small reptiles, peanuts and human food. Robs bird nests (even of Verreaux's Eagle) and kills sickly newborn lambs.
Nests are mainly on a cliff ledge but will occasionally nest in a tree. 3-5 eggs are laid. Monogamous with long-term pair-bond.
A sedentary species but large flocks of non-breeders wander around in non-breeding season.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- 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) White-necked Raven. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 27 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White-necked_Raven
