Slender-billed Crow

Overview

The Slender-billed Crow is a medium-sized corvid found across parts of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Sulawesi, and other islands, as well as parts of the Malay Peninsula. It is more strongly associated with forest habitats than many other crow species.

Several subspecies exist across its scattered island range, with some variation in size and gloss.

Feather Identification

Feathers are uniformly glossy black with a blue-green sheen, without pale patches of any kind.

• Flight feathers: Moderate-sized primaries and secondaries, somewhat less bulky than larger mainland crow species.
• Tail feathers: Squared, glossy tail feathers.
• Overall build: Feathers reflect a more lightly built body than large-billed mainland crows.
• Similar species: Similar to other all-black Asian crows; range (forested Southeast Asian islands) and smaller overall size help narrow identification.

Plumage Notes

Adults are entirely glossy black with a notable sheen on the head and wings. Juveniles are duller, gaining full gloss with maturity.

Sexes look alike. A complete molt follows the breeding season, as in other corvids.

Habitat & Range

This species inhabits lowland and hill forests across parts of the Philippines, Sulawesi, and other Southeast Asian islands, along with some Malay Peninsula populations. It shows a stronger preference for forested habitat than many other crows.

Most populations are resident within their forest ranges, without long-distance migration.

Behavior & Field Notes

Slender-billed Crows are typically seen in pairs or small groups within forest canopy or at forest edges, foraging for a wide variety of food items. They are generally less associated with urban environments than many other crow species.

Nests are stick platforms built in trees. Calls are harsh caws, variable between subspecies. Its forest habitat preference and slim-billed profile are useful field cues distinguishing it from more urban-adapted Asian crows.