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Corvidae

(Family)

Overview

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Corvidae is a family of oscine passerine birds that contains the crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws, jays, magpies, treepies, choughs and nutcrackers.1][2] The common English name used is corvids (more technically) or the crow family (more informally), and there are over 120 species. The genus Corvus, including the crows and ravens, makes up over a third of the entire family.

They are considered the most intelligent of the birds[3][4] having demonstrated self-awareness in mirror tests (European Magpies) and tool making ability (Crows) — skills until recently regarded as solely the province of humans and a few other higher mammals. They are medium to large in size, with strong feet and bills, rictal bristles and a single moult each year (most passerines moult twice).

Corvids are found worldwide except for the tip of South America and the polar ice caps.[5] The majority of the species are found in tropical South and Central America, southern Asia and Eurasia, with fewer than 10 species each in Africa, Australasia and North America. The genus Corvus has re-entered Australia in relatively recent geological prehistory, with five species and one subspecies there (see crows).

Systematics, Taxonomy and Evolution

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Rufous Treepie, Dendrocitta vagabunda
Gold-billed Magpie, Urocissa flavirostris
Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius), Israel
European Magpie, Pica pica
Plush-crested Jay, Cyanocorax chrysops

Over the years there has been much disagreement on the exact evolutionary relationships of the corvid family and their relatives. What eventually seemed clear was that corvids are derived from Australasian ancestors and from there spread throughout the world. Other lineages derived from theseancestors evolved into ecologically diverse, but often Australasian groups. Sibley and Ahlquist united the corvids with other taxa in the Corvida. The presumed corvid relatives included currawongs, birds of paradise, whipbirds, quail-thrushes, whistlers, monarch flycatchers and drongos, shrikes, vireos and vangas,[6] but current research favors the theory that this grouping is partly artificial. The corvids constitute the core group of the Corvoidea, together with their closest relatives (the birds of paradise, Australian mud-nesters and shrikes). They are also the core group of the Corvida, which includes the related groups, such as orioles and vireos.[7]

Clarification of the interrelationships of the corvids has been achieved based on cladistic analysis of several DNA sequences.[8] The jays and magpies do not constitute monophyletic lineages, but rather seem to split up into an American and Old World lineage, and an Holarctic and Oriental lineage, respectively. These are not closely related among each other. The position of the Azure-winged Magpie, which has always been a major enigma, is even more unclear than it was before.

The Crested Jay (Platylophus galericulatus) is traditionally included in the Corvidae, but might not be a true member of this family, possibly being closer to the helmet-shrikes (Malaconotidae) or shrikes (Laniidae); it is best considered Corvoidea incertae sedis for the time being.[1][9] Likewise, the Hume's Ground "Jay" (Pseudopodoces humilis) is in fact a member of the tit family Paridae.[10]

Fossil Record

The earliest corvid fossils date to the mid-Miocene, about 17 million years ago; Miocorvus and Miopica may be ancestral to crows and some of the magpie lineage, respectively, or similar to the living forms due to convergent evolution. The known prehistoric corvid genera appear to be mainly of the New World and Old World jay and Holarctic magpie lineages:

In addition, there are numerous fossil species of extant genera since the Mio-Pliocene, mainly European Corvus.[12]

Biology

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Morphology

Corvids are large to very large passerines with a robust build, strong legs and all species except the Pinyon Jay have nostrils covered by bristle-like feathers.[13] Many corvids of temperate zones have mainly black or blue colored plumage; however, some are pied black and white, some have a blue-purple iridescence and many tropical species are brightly colored. The sexes are very similar in color and size. Corvids have strong, stout bills and large wingspans. The family includes the largest members of the passerine order.

The smallest corvid is the Dwarf Jay (Aphelocoma nana), at 40 g (1.4 oz) and 21.5 cm (8.5 inches). The largest corvids are the Common Raven (Corvus corax) and the Thick-billed Raven (Corvus crassirostris), both of which regularly exceed 1400 grams (3 lbs) and 65 cm (26 inches).

Species can be identified based on size, shape, and geography; however, some, especially the Australian crows, are best identified by their raucous calls.[6]

Ecology

Corvids occur in most climatic zones. Most are sedentary and do not migrate significantly. However, during a shortage of food, eruptive migration can occur.[6] When species are migratory, they will form large flocks in the fall (around August in the northern hemisphere) and travel south.[14]

One reason for the success of crows, compared to ravens, is their ability to overlap breeding territory. During breeding season, crows were shown to overlap breeding territory six times as much as ravens. This invasion of breeding ranges allowed a related increase in local population density.[15]

Food and Feeding

Corvids are highly opportunistic foragers. Here a Jungle Crow feeds on a shark carcass.

The natural diet of many corvid species is omnivorous, consisting of invertebrates, nestlings, small mammals, berries, fruits, seeds, and carrion. However, some corvids, especially the crows, have adapted well to human conditions and have come to rely on anthropogenic foods. In a US study of American Crows, Common Ravens and Steller's Jays around campgrounds and human settlements, the crows appeared to have the most diverse diet of all, taking anthropogenic foods such as bread, spaghetti, fried potatoes, dog food, sandwiches, and livestock feed. The increase in available anthropogenic food sources is contributing to population increase in some corvid species.[15].

Some corvids are predators of other birds. During the wintering months, corvids typically form foraging flocks.[6] However, some crows also eat many agricultural pests including cutworms, wireworms, grasshoppers, and harmful weeds[14] Some corvids will eat carrion, and since they lack a specialized beak for tearing into flesh, they must wait until animals are opened, whether by other predators or as roadkill.

Since crows do not seem to mind human development, it was suggested that the crow population increase would cause increased rates of nest predation. However, Steller's Jays, which are successful independently of human development, are more efficient in plundering small birds' nests than American Crows and Common Ravens. Therefore, the human relationship with crows and ravens did not significantly increase nest predation, compared to other factors such as habitat destruction.[15]

Reproduction

A Gray Jay pair feeding their chicks.

Many species of corvid are territorial, protecting territories throughout the year or simply during the breeding season. In some cases territories may only be guarded during the day, with the pair joining off-territory roosts at night. Some corvids are well known communal roosters. Some groups of roosting corvids can be very large, with a roost of 65,000 Rooks counted in Scotland.[16] Some, including the Rook and the Jackdaw, are also communal nesters.

The partner bond in corvids is extremely strong and even lifelong in some species. This monogamous lifestyle, however, can still contain extra-pair copulations.[17] Males and females build large nests together in trees or on ledges. The male will also feed the female during incubation.[18] The nests are constructed of a mass of bulky twigs lined with grass and bark. Corvids can lay between 3 and 10 eggs, typically ranging between 4 and 7. The eggs are usually greenish in color with brown blotches. Once hatched, the young remain in the nests for up to 6-10 weeks depending on the species. Corvids provide biparental care.

Jackdaws can breed in buildings or in rabbit warrens.[19] White-throated Magpie-jays are cooperatively breeding corvids where the helpers are mostly female. Cooperative breeding takesplace when additional adults help raise the nestlings. Such helpers at the nest in most cooperatively breeding birds are males, while females join other groups.[20]

Social Life

Some corvids have strong organization and community groups. Jackdaws, for example, have a strong social hierarchy, and are facultatively colonial during breeding.[19] Providing mutual aid has also been recorded within many of the corvid species.

Young corvids have been known to play and take part in elaborate social games. Documented group games follow a "king of the mountain"- and "follow the leader"-type pattern. Other play involves the manipulation, passing, and balancing of sticks. Corvids also take part in other activities, such as sliding down smooth surfaces. These games are understood to play a large role in the adaptive and survival ability of the birds.[21]

Mate selection is quite complex and accompanied with much social play in the Corvidae. Youngsters of social corvid species undergo a series of tests, including aerobatic feats, before being accepted as a mate by the opposite sex.[14]

Some corvids can be aggressive. Blue Jays, for example, are well known to attack anything that threatens their nest. Crows have been known to attack dogs, cats, ravens, and birds of prey. Most of the time these assaults take place as a distraction long enough to allow an opportunity for stealing food.[14]

Intelligence

Based on the brain-to-body ratio of animals over 1 kilogram, corvid brains are among the largest in birds, equal to that of great apes and cetaceans, and only slightly lower than a human.[22] Their intelligence is boosted by the long growing period of the young. By remaining with the parents, the young have more opportunities to learn necessary skills. Since most corvids are cooperative brooders, their young can learn from different members of the group.[5]

When compared to dogs and cats in an experiment testing the ability to seek out food according to three-dimensional clues, corvids out-performed the mammals.[23] A metaanalysis testing how often birds inventednew ways to acquire food in the wild found corvids the most innovative birds.[24] A 2004 review suggests that their cognitive abilities are on par with those of great apes.[25] Despite structural differences, the brains of corvids and great apes both evolved the ability to make geometrical measurements. Some corvids demonstrate the capacity for imagination, something believed to be otherwise unique to humans. For example, they remember previous relevant social contexts, use their own experience of having been a thief to predict the behavior of a pilferer, and can determine the safest course to protect the caches from pilfering. Studies to assess similar cognitive abilities in apes have been inconclusive.[26]

Corvid ingenuity is represented throughtheir feeding skills, memorization abilities, use of tools, and group behaviour. Living in large social groups has long been connected with high cognitive ability. To live in a large group, a member must be able to recognize individuals and track the social position and foraging of other members over time. Members must also be able to distinguish between sex, age, reproductive status, and dominance, and to update this information constantly. Therefore, social complexity directly corresponds to high cognition.[27]

There are also specific examples of corvid cleverness. One Carrion Crow was documented to crack nuts by placing them on a crosswalk, letting the passing cars crack the shell, waiting for the light to turn red, and then safely retrieving the contents.[28] A group of crows in England took turns lifting garbage bin lids while their companions collected food.

Members of the corvid family have been known to watch other birds, remember where they hide their food, then return once the owner leaves. Corvids also move their food around between hiding places to avoid thievery, but only if they have previously been thieves themselves. The ability to hide food requires highly accurate spatial memories. Corvids have been recorded to recall their food's hiding place up to nine months later. It is suggested that vertical landmarks (like trees) are used to remember locations. There has also been evidence that Western Scrub-Jays, which store perishable foods, not only remember where they stored their food, but for how long. This has been compared to episodic memory, previously thought unique to humans.[5]

Looking at the act of thievery in the corvid family, some species will take their experience as a thiefand use it to predict other bird actions of thievery. This explains why, if a corvid has committed thievery, they will take extra precautions (such as moving hiding places) to avoid being a future victim. Being able to predict others' behaviour based on one's own experiences is another trait previously thought unique to humans. Laboratory experiments have confirmed that crows in particular can sometimes use a past experience to approach a new obstacle.[5]

New Caledonian Crows (Corvus moneduloides) are famous for their highly developed tool fabrication. They make angling tools of twigs and leaves trimmed into hooks. They then use the hooks to pull insect larvae from tree holes. Tools are engineered according to task and apparently also to learned preference. Other corvids that have been observed using tools include the American Crow, Blue Jay and Green Jay. Diversity in tool design among corvids suggests cultural variation. Again, great apes are the only other non-human animals known to use tools in such a fashion.[5]

Clark's Nutcrackers and Jackdaws were compared in a 2002 study based on geometric rule learning. The corvids, along with a domestic pigeon, had to locate a target between two landmarks, while distances and landmarks were altered. The nutcrackers were more accurate in their searches than the jackdaws and pigeons.[29]

The scarecrow is an archetypal scare tactic in the agricultural business. However, due to corvids' quick wit, scarecrows are soon ignored and used as perches. Despite farmers' efforts to rid themselves of corvid pests, their attempts have only expanded corvid territories and strengthened their numbers.[14]

Current systematics places corvids, based on physical characteristics other than their brains (the most developed of birds), in the lower middle of the passerines, contrary to earlier teleological classifications as "highest" songbirds due to their intelligence.[7] As per one observer,

"During the 19th century there arose the belief that these were the 'most advanced' birds, based upon the belief that Darwinian evolution brings 'progress'. In such a classification the 'most intelligent' of birds were listed last reflecting their position 'atop the pyramid'. Modern biologists reject the concept of hierarchical 'progress' in evolution [...]."[6]

The other major group of highly intelligent birds, parrots and cockatoos, is not closely related to corvids.

Relationship With Humans

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Role in Myth and Culture

See also: Cultural depictions of ravens and Raven in mythology

Folklore often represents corvids as clever, and even mystical, animals. Some Native Americans, such as the Haida, believed that a raven created the earth and despite being a trickster spirit, ravens were popular on totems, credited with creating man, and responsible for placing the Sun in the sky.

Various Germanic peoples highly revered the raven. The major deity Odin was so associated with ravens throughout history that he gained the kenning "raven god"[30] and the raven banner was the flag of various Viking Age Scandinavian chieftains. He was also attended by Hugin and Munin, two ravens who whispered news into his ears.[31] The Valravn sometimes appears in modern Scandinavian folklore.

The 6th century BC Greek scribe Aesop featured corvids as intelligent antagonists in many fables. Later, in western literature, popularized by American poet Edgar Allan Poe's work "The Raven", the Common Raven becomes a symbol of the main character's descent into madness.

Status and Conservation

The Hawaiian Crow is extinct in the wild due to habitat loss and other factors.

Unlike many other bird families, corvid fitness and reproduction, especially with many crows, has increased due to human development. The survival and reproductive success of certain crows and ravens is assisted by their close relationship with humans.[15]

Human development provides additional resources by clearing land, creating shrublands rich in berries and insects. When the cleared land naturally replenishes, jays and crows use the young dense trees for nesting sites. Ravens typically use larger trees in denser forests.[15]

Despite the factt hat most corvids are not threatened (many even increasing due to human activity) a few species are in danger. For example, the destruction of the Southeast Asian rainforests is endangering mixed-species feeding flocks with members from the family Corvidae.[32] Also, since its semiarid scrubland habitat is an endangered ecosystem, the Florida Scrub-jay has a small and declining population.[33] A number of island species, which are more vulnerable to introduced species and habitat loss, have been driven to extinction, such as the New Zealand Raven, or are threatened, like the Mariana Crow.

In the USA the American Crow population has definitely grown over the years. It is possible that the American Crow, due to humans increasing suitable habitat, will drive out Northwestern and Fish Crows.[34]

Photos

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Taxonomy

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The Family Corvidae is a member of the Superfamily Corvoidea. Here is the complete "parentage" of Corvidae:

The Family Corvidae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Aegithina

The ioras are a family of small bird species found in India and southeast Asia. They are one of only three bird families that are entirely endemic to the Indomalayan ecozone. They were formerly grouped with the other two of those families, the leafbirds and fairy-bluebirds, in the family Irenidae. [more]

Aleadryas

The Rufous-naped Whistler (Aleadryas rufinucha) is a species of in the Pachycephalidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Aleadryas. It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. [more]

Androphobus

The Papuan Whipbird (Androphobus viridis) is a species of in the Cinclosomatidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Androphobus. [more]

Aphelocoma

The birds of the genus Aphelocoma include the scrub-jays and relatives. They are New World jays found in Mexico, western Central America and the western United States, with an outlying population in Florida. This genus belongs to the group of New World (or "blue") jays - possibly a distinct subfamily - which is not closely related to other jays, magpies or treepies (Ericson et al, 2005 ). They live in open pine-oak forests, chaparral, and cloudforests. [more]

Aphelocooma

[more]

Arses

Artaxerxes (Artaxšaca) IV Arses, King of between 338 BC and 336 BC. He was the youngest son of King Artaxerxes III and Atossa and was not expected to succeed to the throne of Persia. His unexpected rise to the throne came in 338 BC as a result of the murder of his father and most of his family by Bagoas, the powerful Vizier of Persia who had recently fallen in Artaxerxes' disfavor. Bagoas sought to remain in office by replacing Artaxerxes with his son Arses (Artaxerxes IV), whom he thought easier to control. Arses remained little more than a puppet-king during the two years of his reign while Bagoas acted as the power behind the throne. Eventually, disgruntled by this state of affairs and possibly influenced by the nobles of the Royal Court, who generally held Bagoas in contempt, Arses started planning Bagoas' murder. The Vizier again acted first in order to protect himself and managed to poison Arses. Bagoas then raised a cousin of Arses to the throne as King Darius III of Persia. A major concern for Persia during this King's short reign were hostilities on the western borders with Macedonia under Kings Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great. This would lead to war between the two states during the reign of Arses' successor. [more]

Artamella

The White-headed Vanga (Artamella viridis) is a species of in the Vangidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Artamella. It is endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Artamus

Woodswallows are soft-plumaged, somber-colored birds found in Australia and the islands nearby. Given their moderate size—about the same as a Common Starling—and dull plumage, they are amongst the easiest of birds to observe and recognise. In flight, they look very like large, stiff-winged swallows, and like swallows, they mostly eat flying insects. [more]

Astrapia

The genus Astrapia (, 1816) consists of five species of birds of paradise. [more]

Batis

A Genus in the Kingdom Plantae. [more]

Bias

Bias is a term used to describe a or preference towards a particular perspective, ideology or result, especially when the tendency interferes with the ability to be impartial, unprejudiced, or objective. The term biased is used to describe an action, judgment, or other outcome influenced by a prejudged perspective. It is also used to refer to a person or body of people whose actions or judgments exhibit bias. [more]

Calicalicus

Calicalicus is a genus of in the Vangidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Callocitta

[more]

Calocitta

Calocitta is a of family Corvidae (Crow-like birds). They are commonly known as magpie-jays. These birds are native to the southern part of North America. The two known species are known to form hybrids. [more]

Campephaga

Campephaga is a genus of in the Campephagidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Campochaera

The Golden Cuckoo-shrike (Campochaera sloetii) is a species of in the Campephagidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Campochaera. It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. [more]

Chaetorhynchus

The Pygmy Drongo (Chaetorhynchus papuensis) is a species of in the Dicruridae family. It is monotypic within the genus Chaetorhynchus. It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes. [more]

Chasiempis

The ?Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) is a endemic to Hawaii. and the only species of its genus. It inhabits the Big Island, O?ahu and Kaua?i in no less than 5 different subspecies. Being one of the most adaptable native birds of the archipelago, no subspecies have yet become extinct, though two have become quite rare nowadays. [more]

Cicinnurus

The genus Cicinnurus (, 1816) consist of three Sickletails Bird of paradise. [more]

Cinclosoma

Quail-thrush is the term applied to any member of the genus Cinclosoma, which contains 5 species of birds who are related to neither nor thrushes though have characteristics of both. The genus is found in Australia and New Guinea in a variety of habiats ranging from rainforest to deserts. The genus is closely related to the jewel-babblers of New Guinea. [more]

Cissa

[more]

Cissilopha

[more]

Cissolopha

[more]

Clytorhynchus

The shrikebills are a , Clytorhynchus, of monarch flycatchers. The five species have long laterally compressed bills similar to true shrikes that give them their names. The genus is endemic to the islands of Melanesia and western Polynesia. [more]

Cnemophilus

Cnemophilus is a genus of in the Cnemophilidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Colluricincla

Colluricincla is a genus of in the Colluricinclidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Coquus

[more]

Coracina

Coracina is a genus of in the Campephagidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Coracornis

The Maroon-backed Whistler (Coracornis raveni) is a species of in the Pachycephalidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Coracornis. It is endemic to Indonesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes. [more]

Corcorax

The White-winged Chough (Corcorax melanorhamphos) is one of only two surviving members of the Australian mud-nest builders family, , and is the only member of the genus Corcorax. It is native to Southern and Eastern Australia and is an example of convergent evolution as it is only distantly related to the European choughs that it closely resembles in shape, and was named after. [more]

Corrus

[more]

Corvus

[more]

Cracticus

Butcherbirds are -like birds in the genus Cracticus. They are native to Australasia. Their closest relatives are the Australian magpie and the three species of currawong. Together they form the subfamily Cracticinae in the family Artamidae which also contains the woodswallows. [more]

Crypsirhina

[more]

Crypsirina

Crypsirina is a small genus of long-tailed birds in the crow and jay family Corvidae. The two species are highly arboreal and rarely come to the ground to feed. [more]

Cyanocitta

The genus Cyanocitta is a genus of jays, passerine birds of the family Corvidae. Cyanocitta includes only two of the New World jays; they are blue, crested birds that differ in the color of the head. Their ranges generally do not overlap. [more]

Cyanocorax

Cyanocorax is a of New World jays, passerine birds in the crow family Corvidae. [more]

Cyanolanius

The Blue Vanga (Cyanolanius madagascarinus) is a species in the family Vangidae. It is in the monotypic genus Cyanolanius. The taxon comorensis, by most authorities considered a subspecies of the Blue Vanga, has occasionally been considered a separate species, the Comoro Blue Vanga (Cyanolanius comorensis). [more]

Cyanolyca

Cyanolyca is a of New World jays including: [more]

Cyanopica

The Azure-winged Magpie (Cyanopica cyana) is a in the crow family. It is 31-35 cm long and similar in overall shape to the European Magpie (Pica pica) but is more slender with proportionately smaller legs and bill. [more]

Cymnorhinus

[more]

Daphoenositta

The sittellas are a family, Neosittidae, of small birds found only in Australasia. They resemble nuthatches, but whilst they were considered to be in that family for many years they are now afforded their own family. They do not migrate other than for local movements. [more]

Dendrocitta

Dendrocitta is a genus of long-tailed birds in the crow and jay family Corvidae. They are resident in tropical South and Southeast Asia. [more]

Dicrurus

The drongos are a family of small birds of the Old World tropics. They are found in the family Dicruridae, which is sometimes much enlarged to include a number of largely Australasian groups, such as the Australasian fantails, monarchs and paradise flycatchers. The name is originally from the indigenous language of Madagascar, where it refers to local species, but is now used to refer to all members of the family. [more]

Dryoscopus

Dryoscopus is a genus of in the Malaconotidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Elminia

Elminia is a genus of in the flycatcher family Stenostiridae. The genus is endemic to Africa. It contains the following species: [more]

Epimachus

The genus Epimachus (, 1816) consist of four species birds of paradise with long decurved sickle-like bill. [more]

Erythrocercus

Erythrocercus is a of bird in the Monarchidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Eulacestoma

The Wattled Ploughbill, Eulacestoma nigropectus is a small, approximately 14cm long, olive-brown with a strong, thick, wedge-shaped black bill, used to plough into dead tree branches, bark and twigs in search for its insects diet. The sexes are different. The male has black underparts, black wings and a large circular pink wattle on the cheek. The female has olive green plumage and pale olive below. Only the adult male has wattles. [more]

Eupetes

The Malaysian Rail-babbler (Eupetes macrocerus) is a strange rail-like pied inhabitant of the floor of primary forest in the and Sumatra (the nominate subspecies macrocerus), as well as Borneo (ssp. borneensis), distantly related to Australian crow-like birds. Its population has greatly decreased because much of the lowland primary forest has been cut, and secondary forests usually have too dense a bottom vegetation or do not offer enough shade to be favourable for the species. However, it is locally still common in logged forest or on hill-forest on slopes, and probably not in immediate danger of extinction. [more]

Euryceros

The Helmet Vanga Euryceros prevostii is a distinctive-looking bird of the family, Vangidae, with a huge arched blue bill. It is the only member of its genus. [more]

Eutrichomyias

The Caerulean Paradise-flycatcher, Eutrichomyias rowleyi, is a medium-sized (up to 18cm long), blue with bright cerulean blue plumage, bare white orbital ring, dark brown iris, bluish black bill and pale blue-grey below. The young has a shorter tail and grey underparts. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Eutrichomyias. [more]

Falculea

The Sickle-billed Vanga (Falculea palliata) is a species of in the Vangidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Falculea. It is endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Falcunculus

The Crested Shrike-tit, Falcunculus frontatus, is a bird to Australia. Three subspecies inhabit open eucalypt forest and woodland in the southwest (F. f. leucogaster), north (F. f. whitei) and east (F. f. frontatus). These are sometimes considered full species. It has a parrot-like bill, used for distinctive bark-stripping behaviour, which gains it access to invertebrates. [more]

Garrulus

The genus Garrulus contains the jays, passerine birds of the family Corvidae, and numbers three species. [more]

Grallina

Grallina is a genus composed of two species of bird native to Australia and New Guinea. It is a member of a group of birds termed monarch flycatchers. This group is considered either as a subfamily Monarchinae, together with the fantails as part of the drongo family Dicruridae, or as a family Monarchidae in its own right. More broadly, they belong to the Corvida parvorder comprising many tropical and Australian passerines including pardalotes, Fairy-wrens and honeyeaters as well as crows. [more]

Gymnorhina

The Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) is a medium-sized black and white bird native to Australia and southern New Guinea. It is closely related to the butcherbirds and currawongs of the family Artamidae. At one stage the Australian Magpie was considered to be three separate species, though zones of hybridization between forms reinforced the idea of it as one species with several subspecies, nine of which are now recognized. The adult Australian Magpie is a fairly robust bird ranging from 37–43 cm (14.5–17 in) in length, with distinctive black and white plumage, red eyes and a solid wedge-shaped bluish-white and black bill. The male and female are similar in appearance, and can be distinguished by differences in back markings. [more]

Gymnorhinus

The Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) is a between the North American Blue Jay and the Eurasian Jay in size. It is the only member of the genus Gymnorhinus, (monotypic). Its overall proportions are very Nutcracker-like and indeed this can be seen as convergent evolution as both birds fill similar ecological niches. The pinyon jay is a bluish-grey colored bird with deeper head coloring and whitish throat with black bill, legs and feet. [more]

Hemipus

The Black-winged Flycatcher-shrike (Hemipus hirundinaceus) is a species of in the Campephagidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Hemipus. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. [more]

Hylocitrea

The Olive-flanked Whistler (Hylocitrea bonensis) is a species of in the Pachycephalidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Hylocitrea. It is endemic to Indonesia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes. [more]

Hypositta

Hypositta is a genus of in the Vangidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Hypothymis

Hypothymis is a genus of in the Monarchidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Ifrita

The Blue-capped Ifrita (Ifrita kowaldi), also known as the Ifrit, is a small bird endemic to the rainforests of New Guinea. It measures up to 16.5cm long and has yellowish brown plumage with a blue and black crown. The male has a white streak behind its eye, while the female's is a dull yellow. It creeps on trunks and branches in search of insects. [more]

Lamprolia

The Silktail, Lamprolia victoriae is a small black bird with rounded wings, metallic blue crown and breast, silky white lower-back patch and white rounded pattern tail. It is the only member of the genus Lamprolia. [more]

Laniarius

Laniarius is a of brightly colored, carnivorous passerine birds commonly known as boubous or gonoleks. Not to be confused with the similar-sounding genus Lanius, they were formerly classed with the true shrikes in the family Laniidae, but they and related genera are now considered sufficiently distinctive to be separated from that group as the bush-shrike family Malaconotidae. [more]

Lanioturdus

The White-tailed Shrike (Lanioturdus torquatus) is a small bird from the family Platysteiridae. It is also commonly known as a Chatshrike. It occurs only in western Angola and Namibia in thorn scrub. It forages from ground level, where it hops about in large bounds and upright posture, to 25m above ground, scanning for insects. The very short tail, with a small black mark at the tip of the central two feathers, is always carried down, never sticking up. Its range of calls includes loud ringing territorial whistles. [more]

Leptopterus

Chabert's Vanga (Leptopterus chabert) is a species of in the Vangidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Leptopterus. It is endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Loboparadisea

The Silken Satinbird (formerly known as the Yellow-breasted Bird-of-paradise) (Loboparadisea sericea) is a species of in the Cnemophilidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Loboparadisea. It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Lophocitta

[more]

Lophorina

The Superb Bird of Paradise, Lophorina superba, is a small, approximately 26cm long, bird of the Paradisaeidae family. It is the only member in the genus Lophorina. The male is a black bird of paradise with an iridescent green crown, blue-green breast shield and a long velvety black erectile cape covering his back. The female is a reddish-brown bird with brownish barred buff below. The young is similar to the female. [more]

Lycocorax

The Paradise Crow, Lycocorax pyrrhopterus, also known as the Silky Crow, is a medium-sized (approximately 34cm long) -like bird of paradise with all-dark, soft and silky plumage. It has a black bill, crimson eyes, and a call reminiscent of a dog's bark. Both sexes are almost similar. The female is slightly smaller than the male. [more]

Macgregoria

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Machaerirhynchus

Machaerirhynchus is a of passerine birds currently classified with the monarch flycatchers in the family Monarchidae. The two species are known as boatbills. The genus is distributed across New Guinea and northern Queensland. [more]

Malaconotus

Malaconotus is a of bird in the bush-shrike family Malaconotidae . About 60% of the species formerly placed here are now usually separated in Telophorus. The old taxonomy is also often found though. [more]

Manucodia

The genus Manucodia (, 1783) consists of five medium-sized birds of paradise with black-glossed purple and green plumages. [more]

Mayrornis

Mayrornis is a genus of in the Monarchidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Megabyas

The African Shrike-flycatcher (Megabyas flammulatus) is a species of in the Platysteiridae family. It is monotypic within the genus Megabyas. It is found in Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. [more]

Melampitta

Melampitta is a genus of bird containing two enigmatic species. The taxonomic placement of the genus is a source of long-standing confusion. The superficial resemblance to the pittas meant that the two species were originally placed within that family. The name of the genus literally means "black pitta". As the structure of the syrinx was that of an oscine bird the genus was later moved to the Old World babblers (an infamous "taxonomic dustbin"), then to Orthonychidae (where some authorities still retain them) and then to the jewel-babblers and whipbirds (the treatment currently used by the Handbook of the Birds of the World). Based on the analysis of DNA-DNA hybridisation data the genus was placed with the birds of paradise family by Sibley and Ahlquist, although these conclusions are not supported by aspects of the behaviour and biology (although they are possibly related to the recently split Cnemophilidae birds of paradise). More recent studies have suggested a relationship with the Corcoracidae (the White-winged Chough and Apostlebird of Australia). It has been suggested that the genus could be afforded its own family. Most authors accept that the both species are congeneric (are both in the same genus), although the two species do have a number of differences, particularly morphologically. The Lesser Melanpitta has three subspecies whereas the Greater Melanpitta is monotypic. [more]

Metabolus

The Chuuk Monarch, or Truk Monarch (Metabolus rugensis) is a species of in the Monarchidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Metabolus. It is endemic to the island of Chuuk in Micronesia. [more]

Mohoua

Mohoua is a small genus of 3 species endemic to New Zealand. The Latin genus name is taken from either mohuahua or momohua - both Maori names for the Yellowhead. All three species display some degree of sexual dimorphism in terms of size, with the males being the larger of the two sexes. Mohoua are gregarious (more so outside the breeding season) and usually forage in groups . They also forage in mixed species flocks at times, frequently forming the nucleus of such flocks. Unlike most species within Pachycephalidae, social organization and behaviour is well documented for all 3 Mohoua species; Cooperative breeding has been observed in all 3 species and is common in the Whitehead and Yellowhead. The three species of this genus are the sole hosts for the Long-tailed Cuckoo which acts as a Brood parasite upon them, pushing their eggs out of the nest and laying a single one of its own in their place so that they take no part in incubation of their egg or in raising their young. [more]

Monarcha

Monarcha is a genus of in the Monarchidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Myiagra

Myiagra is a genus of , sometimes referred to as the broad-billed flycatchers. They are separated from other members of the family, particularly the Monarcha flycatchers they resemble, by their consistent sexual dimorphism, egg patterning, and the crested heads without facial patterns. The genus is spread across Australasia, with some representatives in the Lesser Sundas, Timor Micronesia, Mollucas, New Guinea, Australia, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa. It occurs as an occasional vagrant in New Zealand and formerly occurred in Tonga and Guam. [more]

Neolalage

The Buff-bellied Monarch (Neolalage banksiana) is a species of in the Monarchidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Neolalage. It is endemic to Vanuatu. [more]

Nilaus

The Brubru, Nilaus afer, is a member of the family found in much of sub-Saharan Africa apart from the western rainforests and southern South Africa. It is the only member of the genus Nilaus. [more]

Nucifraga

The nutcrackers (Nucifraga) are a of two species of passerine bird, in the family Corvidae, related to the jays and crows. One, the Spotted Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes), occurs in Europe and Asia, the other, Clark's Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana), in western North America. [more]

Oreoica

The Crested Bellbird (Oreoica gutturalis) is a species of in the Colluricinclidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Oreoica. It is endemic to Australia. [more]

Oriolia

The Bernier's Vanga (Oriolia bernieri) is a species in the family Vangidae. It is in the monotypic genus Oriolia. It is endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Oriolus

Orioles are colorful Old World birds in the family Oriolidae and genus Oriolus. They are not related to the New World orioles, which are Icterids, family Icteridae. [more]

Pachycare

The Goldenface (Pachycare flavogriseum) is a species of bird. It is the only species (monotypic) within the genus Pachycare. The placement of the genus within the passerines is uncertain. It has been suggested that it belongs with the whistlers, in the Pachycephalidae family, based on its bright yellow plumage and voice, and the species is sometimes known as the Dwarf Whistler. Others have suggested placing it with the Australasian robins in the family Petroicidae, but the nest architecture is unlike that of the family; in fact its nests more closely resemble those of the thornbills in the family Acanthizidae, another family to which it has sometimes been aligned. There are four subspecies. [more]

Palaeocorax

[more]

Paradigalla

The genus Paradigalla , 1835 consist of two species of birds of paradise. Both are medium sized black birds with blue and yellow facial wattles. [more]

Paradisaea

[more]

Parotia

The Parotia are birds of paradise (family Paradisaeidae). They are found on New Guinea, to which they are endemic. They are also known as six-plumed birds of paradise, due to their six head quills. [more]

Peltops

Peltops is a genus of in the Cracticidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Pericrocotus

The minivets are birds belonging to the genus Pericrocotus in the cuckoo-shrike family Campephagidae. There are about 13 species, occurring mainly in forests in southern and eastern Asia. They are fairly small, slender birds with long tails and an erect posture. Many species have bright red or yellow markings. They feed mainly on insects, foraging in groups in the tree canopy. [more]

Perisoreus

The genus 'Perisoreus' is a very small genus of from the Boreal regions of North America and Eurasia from Scandinavia to the Asian seaboard. An isolated species also occurs in north-western Szechuan province of China. They belong to the Passerine order of birds in the family Corvidae. [more]

Philentoma

Philentoma is an enigmatic of birds. They were included in the Muscicapidae (flycatchers) when these were used as a "wastebin taxon" mainly for lack of a better idea, but have recently been recognized as part of a "shrike"-like group. They may be rather close to the diverse vangas but for the time being are placed in the Prionopidae with the helmetshrikes and woodshrikes. [more]

Pica

Pica can refer to: [more]

Pitohui

Pitohui is a genus of birds to New Guinea, belonging to the family Pachycephalidae. [more]

Pityriasis

Pityriasis commonly refers to flaking of the . [more]

Platylophus

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia. [more]

Platysmurus

The Black Magpie (Platysmurus leucopterus) is a species of in the Corvidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Platysmurus. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical mangrove forests. It is threatened by habitat loss. [more]

Platysteira

Platysteira is a genus of in the Platysteiridae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Podoces

The ground jays or ground choughs belong to a distinct group of the order of birds in the genus Podoces of the crow family Corvidae. They inhabit high altitude semi-desert areas from central Asia to Mongolia. [more]

Pomarea

Pomarea is a genus of in the monarch flycatcher family Monarchidae. The genus is restricted to the islands of Polynesia. The monarchs of this genus are around 15-19 cm long and most have sexually dimorphic plumage. [more]

Prionops

The typical helmetshrikes, Prionops, form a genus in the helmetshrike family Prionopidae. They were for long usually included in the Malaconotidae. They contains the following species: [more]

Protocitta

[more]

Pseudobias

The Ward's Flycatcher (Pseudobias wardi), also known as Ward's Flycatcher-vanga is a species of in the Vangidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Pseudobias. It is endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Pseudopodoces

Hume's Ground Tit (Pseudopodoces humilis), previously known as Hume's Ground Jay, is a -like bird. It is similar in shape to the (unrelated) genus Podoces but is much smaller, about the size of a House Sparrow. It is a greyish-fawn in color with a tawny flush and has soft, lax feathers on the body. The upper parts tend to be a darker fawn-brown with the central tail feathers and wing primaries a little darker still; the head is colored like the underside with a darker cap reminiscent of a chickadee's or White-winged Tit's (without the neck spot) in shape. The bill, legs and feet are black. The flight of this bird is not strong and it flies low over the ground preferring to run or jump out of the way if approached which it does very quickly. [more]

Psophodes

Psophodes is a of four, or possibly five, species of songbirds endemic to Australia, known as Whipbirds and Wedgebills. [more]

Pteridophora

The King of Saxony Bird of Paradise, Pteridophora alberti, is a small, approximately 22cm long, of the Paradisaeidae family. It is the only member in monotypic genus Pteridophora. The adult male is a black and yellow bird of paradise with a dark brown iris, black bill, brownish-grey legs, aqua green mouth, and two remarkably long, scalloped, enamel blue brow plumes that can be erected at the bird’s will. So bizarre are its ornamental head plumes that, when the first specimen was brought to Europe, this bird was thought to be a fake. The unadorned female is a greyish brown bird with barred below. [more]

Ptiloris

The genus Ptiloris consist of four riflebirds species of the family. [more]

Ptilorrhoa

The jewel-babblers are a , Ptilorrhoa of birds in the Cinclosomatidae family. The genus contains four species that are endemic to New Guinea. The genus was once considered to contain the Rail-babbler, but that species is now considered to belong to its own family. The genus is closely related to the better known quail-thrushes (Cinclosoma) of New Guinea and Australia. Together with a number of other genera they comprise the family Cinclosomatidae, although the validity of this family as a whole has been questioned. [more]

Ptilostomus

The Piapiac (Ptilostomus afer) is a member of the crow family, and is the only member of the genus Ptilostomus. According to recent findings, it is most closely related to the ground jays (Ericson et al., 2005). [more]

Pyrrhocorax

Chough is the Pyrrhocorax of birds in the Corvidae (crow) family. The word is pronounced IPA: or IPA: /'t??f/, rhyming with "rough"'. They are predominantly black in color with brightly colored legs, feet, and bills. They have long broad wings and perform spectacular aerobatics. This genus is not to be mistaken for the White-winged Chough of Australia. [more]

Rhagologus

The Mottled Whistler (Rhagologus leucostigma) is a species of in the Pachycephalidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Rhagologus. It is found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montanes. [more]

Rhipidura

Fantails are small birds of southern Asia and Australasia belonging to the genus Rhipidura in the monotypic family Rhipiduridae. Most of the species are about 15 to 18 cm long, specialist aerial feeders, and named as "fantails", but the Australian Willie Wagtail, is a little larger, and though still an expert hunter of insects on the wing, concentrates equally on terrestrial prey. [more]

Rhodophoneus

The Rosy-patched Bushshrike (Rhodophoneus cruentus) is a species of in the Malaconotidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Rhodophoneus. It is found in Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Tanzania. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. [more]

Schetba

The Rufous Vanga (Schetba rufa) is a species of in the Vangidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Schetba. It is endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Seleucidis

The Twelve-wired Bird of Paradise, Seleucidis melanoleucus is a medium-sized, approximately 33cm-long, velvet black and yellow . The male has a red iris, long black bill and rich yellow plumes along its flanks. From the rear of these plumes emerge twelve blackish, wire-like filaments, which bend back near their bases to sweep forward over the birds hindquarters. The female is a brown bird with black-barred buffy underparts. Its feet are strong, large-clawed and pink in color. [more]

Semioptera

The Wallace’s Standardwing, Semioptera wallacii is a medium-sized, approximately 28cm long, olive-brown . It is the only member in monotypic genus Semioptera. The male has a gloss violet-and-lilac colored crown and emerald green breast-shield. Its most striking features are two pairs of long white plumes coming out from the bend of the wing that can be raised or lowered at the bird’s will. The unadorned olive-brown female is smaller and has longer tail than male. [more]

Sphecotheres

The Figbird (Sphecotheres viridis) is a conspicuous and very common medium-sized bird native to Indonesia, New Guinea, northern and eastern Australia, and the islands nearby. [more]

Strepera

Currawongs are medium-sized birds of the family Artamidae native to Australasia. There are either three or four species (depending on whether the Australian Magpie is counted as a currawong or not). The common name comes from the call of the familiar Pied Currawong of eastern Australia and is onomatopoeic. An older name was Crow-shrike, though this is not used currently. [more]

Struthidea

The Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea), also known as the Grey Jumper, is a quick-moving, gray or black about 13 inches (33 centimetres) long. It is a native to Australia where it roams woodlands, eating insects and seeds at, or near, ground level. Apostlebirds always seem to travel in groups of about 12; for this reason they were named after the Biblical apostles - the twelve chief followers of Jesus Christ. [more]

Tchagra

The Tchagras are birds in the bushshrike family, which are closely related to the true shrikes in the family Laniidae, and were once included in that group. These five species form the genus Tchagra within the bushshrike family: [more]

Telophorus

Telophorus is a of bird in the bushshrike family, Malaconotidae. [more]

Temnurus

The Ratchet-tailed Treepie (Temnurus temnurus) is a species of in the Corvidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Temnurus. It is found in Cambodia, China, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. [more]

Tephrodornis

Tephrodornis is a genus in the helmetshrike family Prionopidae, commonly known as the woodshrikes. They were formerly placed in the Campephagidae (cuckoo-shrikes) by some, as they are far more conventional in habitus that the rather bizarre typical helmetshrikes of genus Prionops. [more]

Terpsiphone

The paradise-flycatchers, Tersiphone, are a of monarch flycatchers. The genus ranges across Africa and Asia, as well as a number of islands. A few species are migratory, but the majority are resident. The most telling characteristic of the genus is the long tail streamers of the males of many species. In addition to the long tails the males and females are sexually dimorphic and have rufous, black and white plumage. [more]

Trochocercus

Trochocercus is a genus of in the Monarchidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Turnagra

The family Turnagridae consisted of two species of Piopio, birds endemic to New Zealand, both of which are now considered extinct. [more]

Tylas

The Tylas Vanga (Tylas eduardi) is a species of in the Vangidae family. It is monotypic within the genus Tylas. It is endemic to Madagascar. [more]

Urocissa

Urocissa is a of birds in the huge Passerine order in the family Corvidae. It consists of mainly brightly colored magpies in Asia. [more]

Vanga

The vangas are a group of little-known small to medium-sized birds restricted to Madagascar. Their relationship with other passerine groups is uncertain, but they seem most closely related to several other enigmatic African groups, such as helmetshrikes (Fuchs et al., 2004). Several of these species (including Van Dam's, Rufous and Sickle-billed) can be found in the Madagascar dry deciduous forests. [more]

Xanthoura

[more]

Xenopirostris

Xenopirostris is a genus of in the Vangidae family. [more]

Zavattariornis

Named after the German ornithologist , Stresemann's Bush Crow (Zavattariornis stresemanni), also known as Abyssinian Pie, Bush Crow or by its generic name Zavattariornis, is a rather Starling-like member of the Crow family, Corvidae. It is slightly larger than the North American Blue Jay, Cyanocitta cristata and is a bluish-grey in overall appearance becoming almost white on the forehead. The throat and chest are creamy-white with the tail and wings a glossy black. The black feathers have a tendency to bleach to brown at their tips. The iris of the bird is brown and the eye is surrounded by a band of naked bright blue skin The bill, legs and feet are black. [more]

Zeocephus

[more]

More info about the Genus Zeocephus may be found here.

Footnotes

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  1. ^ a b Madge & Burn (1993)
  2. ^ Robertson (2000), Clayton & Emery (2005)
  3. ^ http://biology.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pbio.0060202
  4. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/story//nm/20080819/sc_nm/magpies_mirror_dc
  5. ^ a b c d e Clayton & Emery (2005)
  6. ^ a b c d e Robertson (2000)
  7. ^ a b Jønsson & Fjeldså (2006)
  8. ^ Ericson et al. (2005), Jønsson & Fjeldså (2006)
  9. ^ Goodwin (1986)
  10. ^ James et al. (2005)
  11. ^ Proximal right coracoid of a jay-sized bird, perhaps an Holarctic magpie distinct from Pica: Wetmore (1937)
  12. ^ See the genus accounts for more.
  13. ^ Perrins 2003
  14. ^ a b c d e Shades of Night: The Aviary. Version of 2004-JUL-21. Retrieved 2007-NOV-10.
  15. ^ a b c d e Marzluff & Neatherlin (2006)
  16. ^ Patterson et al. (1971)
  17. ^ Li & Brown (2000)
  18. ^ Encyclopedia Britannica Online: Corvidae. Free subscription required.
  19. ^ a b Verhulst & Salomons (2004)
  20. ^ Berg (2005)
  21. ^ Gill (2003)
  22. ^ Birding in India and South Asia: Corvidae. Retrieved 2007-NOV-10
  23. ^ Krushinskiiet al. (1979)
  24. ^ BBC Online: Crows and jays top bird IQ scale. Version of 2005-FEB-25- Retrieved 2007-NOV-10.
  25. ^ Emery & Clayton 2004)
  26. ^ James Owen: Crows as Clever as Great Apes, Study Says. National Geographic News, 2004-DEC-09. Retrieved 2007-NOV-10.
  27. ^ Bond et al. (2003)
  28. ^ Attenborough - Crows in the City
  29. ^ Jones et al. (2002)
  30. ^ E.g. Icelandic: hrafnaguð, as per the Gylfaginning.
  31. ^ Chappell J (2006)
  32. ^ Lee et al. (2005)
  33. ^ BirdLife International (2004), Breiniger et al. (2006)
  34. ^ Marzluff & Angell (2005)

Sources

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Last Revised: November 19, 2008