SPC·07
Somali Crow
Corvus edithae
Horn of Africa
LC Least Concern (LC) · BirdLife International 2020
The Somali Crow (Corvus edithae) is a little-known, all-black raven — roughly 44–46 cm long — endemic to the arid lowlands of Somalia, eastern Ethiopia and Djibouti. Despite its common name it is a true raven closely related to the Brown-necked Raven.
Quick Facts
- Length
- 44–46 (estimated) cm
- Wingspan
- Not reliably published cm
- Weight
- Not reliably published g
- IUCN Status
- Least Concern (LC)
- Range
- Somalia, eastern Ethiopia and Djibouti — a very restricted range in the Horn of Africa.
- Habitat
- Arid lowland scrub and bush in the Somali-Masai zone; avoids highlands.
- Diet
- Omnivore; poorly documented due to restricted access to range.
- Voice
- Poorly documented; likely similar to other small African corvids.
Field Marks — How to Identify Somali Crow
- All-black plumage, similar to other small African corvids.
- Smaller than Brown-necked Raven; comparable in size to Chihuahuan Raven.
- Despite its name ("Somali Crow"), it is a true raven (Corvus) closely related to Brown-necked Raven.
- Relatively slender bill for its size.
Behaviour
Poorly known due to its remote, politically restricted range. Assumed to be solitary or in pairs, nesting in thorny scrub.
Conservation Status
Least Concern, though range is restricted to the Horn of Africa. Very little published data exists; listed as Data Deficient by some sources in earlier assessments.
Similar Species
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Somali Crow actually a crow?
No. Despite the name, Corvus edithae is classified as a raven within the genus Corvus. Molecular studies place it closest to the Brown-necked Raven (Corvus ruficollis), not to the typical "crows" of the genus.
Sources
- BirdLife International (2020). Corvus edithae. IUCN Red List 2020. — IUCN status, range
- Madge, S. & Burn, H. (1994). Crows and Jays. Christopher Helm, London. — taxonomy, range, field marks