Forest Raven
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| Corvus tasmanicus Mathews, 1912 |
The Forest Raven (Corvus tasmanicus) is a large Australian species (50-52 cm in length) that inhabits the island state of Tasmania as well as other parts of south-eastern Australia. It has a proportionately larger bill and shorter tail than the other mainland corvid species and is the sole representative of the genus Corvus in Tasmania.
An outlying population exists in a small area in the tablelands of north-eastern New South Wales. The suggestion that this form be given specific rank and be known as the Relict Raven (Corvus boreus) appears not to have gathered favour, and the Relict Raven remains classified as a subspecies, C. tasmanicus boreus.
A scientific study of the Forest Raven (C. tasmanicus) and the Little Raven (C. mellori) is being undertaken by the Victorian Ornithological Research Group in Victoria.
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[edit] Distribution and habitat
The Forest Raven inhabits a wide range of habitat within Tasmania such as woods, open interrupted forest, mountains, coastal areas, farmland and town and city fringes.
[edit] Behaviour
[edit] Diet
A typical omnivore taking a very wide range of foods such as insects, carrion, fruit, grain and earthworms. It has been known to kill and eat birds as large as the Silver Gull (Larus novaehollandiae) using some degree of cunning by pretending to forage near enough to get close for the kill.
[edit] Nesting
A stick nest, very similar to the mainland Australian Raven and like it, built always high up in tall trees.
[edit] Voice
A deep "korr-korr-korr-korr" with a similarly drawn out last note to the Australian Raven.
[edit] Photo Image Links:
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2005). Corvus tasmanicus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
