House crow
Background
The house crow is native to central Asia but introduced populations are established in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
House crows have been transported to Australia on ships arriving from Asia. There are currently no known wild populations in Australia.
It is illegal to keep, transport, sell or release house crows in South Australia under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.
Impacts
House crows are a serious pest bird that:
- damage fruit and vegetables in commercial orchards and home gardens
- damage crops
- attack livestock, killing poultry and young
- compete with native bird species
- predate on native species
- disturb urban environments, scattering rubbish, damaging electrical wiring and blocking drainpipes.
Reporting house crows
The house crow has not yet become established in South Australia. To make sure this doesn’t happen, report all suspected sightings.
Identification
The house crow is 42 to 44 cm long and has black plumage, with a metallic green-blue-purple sheen on its forehead, crown, throat, back, wings and tail.
In contrast, the nape, neck and lower breast are not glossy, and are generally grey. The bill, legs and feet are black, and the eyes are dark brown.
The native Australian raven, little crow and forest raven can be mistaken for the house crow. Native ravens and crows are black all-over, and have white eyes as adults.