Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) – Wildlife of Japan

Introduction

The Carrion Crow (Corvus corone), known in Japan as Hashiboso-garasu, is one of the two familiar black crow species in the country, along with the Large-billed Crow (Corvus macrorhynchos). More common in open landscapes such as riverbanks, farmland, and rural towns, it contrasts with the more urban and forest-dwelling Large-billed Crow.

Appearance

This medium-sized crow is about 50 cm long with entirely black plumage showing a bluish or purplish sheen in good light. The bill is slender and straight, and the forehead forms a smooth slope to the crown, unlike the domed head of the Large-billed Crow. Its call is a rough “gaa-gaa,” softer and hoarser than the sharper “kaa-kaa” of the Large-billed Crow.

Habitat & Distribution

The Carrion Crow is widespread across temperate Eurasia. In Japan, it is a common resident breeder from Kyushu northwards through Shikoku, Honshu, and Hokkaido, and it has also been recorded as a rare visitor on the Izu Islands, Ogasawara Islands, and Okinawa Island. It prefers open or semi-open areas such as farmland, riverbanks, coastal zones, and suburban parks.

Where to See in Japan

This is one of the easiest birds to see in Japan:

• Riverbanks and levees
• Rice fields and harvested farmlands
• Coasts and fishing harbors
• Suburban parks with open lawns
• Widely abundant in lowland Hokkaido

The species is present year-round. In autumn and winter, many individuals gather in large communal roosts in wooded areas.

Behavior

Carrion Crows are highly intelligent and territorial. They often walk steadily on the ground to search for food and adapt quickly to human activities. Outside the breeding season, they form communal roosts that may contain hundreds of birds.

Diet

This omnivorous species feeds on insects, earthworms, small animals, carrion, eggs, grains, fruits, and human food waste. It frequently forages in rice fields, vegetable plots, and along rivers, and it also scavenges washed-up items along coasts.

Reproduction

Breeding mainly occurs from March to July. The nest is a large bowl of sticks placed high in a tree or on man-made structures. The clutch usually contains 3–5 eggs. The female performs most of the incubation, while both parents feed the young. After fledging, the family may remain together for some time.

Conservation

The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Populations are stable in Japan. Although agricultural conflicts sometimes occur, the Carrion Crow plays important ecological roles as a scavenger and predator of some pests.

Author’s Impression

When I walk by rivers or rice fields, the calm crow on the ground is usually the Carrion Crow. I am always impressed by its intelligence—learning safe places, remembering food sources, and observing people closely. Although often overlooked as “just a crow,” this species shows personality and adaptability once you take a closer look.