Habitat use of Large-billed Crow and Carrion Crow in Nagoya, central Japan

Abstract

We examined the differences in habitat use, height, and garbage use between Large-billed Crow Corvus macrorhynchos and Carrion Crow C. corone in Nagoya City, where Carrion Crow was 1.2 times more common than Large-billed Crow. Both species were frequently observed in areas with many roads and residential areas, but Carrion Crow used more natural areas with green spaces, wetlands, and farmland, than did Large-billed Crow. Both species were most frequently observed at heights of 10–15 m, but Large-billed Crow was more frequently observed above 15 m, whereas Carrion Crowwas frequently seen at heights below 10 m. Garbage ravaged by crows was most frequently observed at net-type collection points, and was most frequently the result of Carrion Crow foraging. The results of abundance, habitat- and garbage-use for Carrion Crow may be related to the fact that within Nagoya City, there are many rivers within the urban area and considerable farmland in the surrounding areas.