Somali Crow
Corvus edithae
Silhouette: Peileppe · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyCorvidae (Crows, Jays, and Magpies)
- GenusCorvus (Crows and Ravens)
- SpeciesCorvus edithae (Somali Crow)
About the Somali Crow
The Somali crow, or dwarf raven (Corvus edithae), is approximately the size (44–46 cm in length) of the carrion crow, Corvus corone but with a longer bill and a somewhat more brownish cast to the feathers, especially when worn.
This species occurs principally in Somalia, Djibouti, the Ogaden and the Northern Frontier District in the Horn of Africa, and can be distinguished from the larger brown-necked raven C. ruficollis by its call, appearance and differences in its behaviour.
It was formerly considered a subspecies of the larger brown-necked raven (C. ruficollis), but is now considered to be a distinct species. This crow is thought to be closer to the pied crow C. albus by some authorities, especially in its behaviour, than to the brown-necked raven. Hybrid birds between the pied crow and the Somali crow appear to reinforce this close relationship where the two species meet.
The nest is a ravenlike bulky structure set in either a lone tree or on telegraph poles. It will nest on cliffs in coastal regions or areas where trees are unavailable. The 3-5 eggs are laid in April and early May. The voice is described as a harsh "caw" rather like the rook, Corvus... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Somali Crow in Bale Mountains National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Bale Mountains National Park
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Thick-billed Raven
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Pied Crow
Corvus albus
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Parophasma galinieri
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Awash National Park | 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | |
| 2 | Bale Mountains National Park | 🇪🇹 Ethiopia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Somali Crow in Bale Mountains National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Somali Crow sighting in Bale Mountains National Park, based on 29 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Somali Crow in Bale Mountains National Park?
October has the highest sighting rate for Somali Crow in Bale Mountains National Park in our monthly data.