Distribution Map
Little Crow
Corvus bennetti
EndemicStatus
CommonRarity
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Species Description
The Little Crow is the smallest member of the crow family in Australia and is native to the country's arid and semi-arid regions. Known for its slender build and smaller size compared to other Australian crows, this bird is a common sight in open woodlands, farmland, and outback areas. Its unique nasal call and social flocking behaviour make it an intriguing species for bird enthusiasts and casual observers alike.
Fun Facts
Little Crows perform intricate aerial displays in flocks, including synchronized spirals and swoops.
1. Nasal "nark-nark" or "quark-quark" call, short and repetitive.
2. Smaller, slender bill compared to other Australian crows and ravens.
3. Bright white eyes in adults contrasting with glossy black plumage.
Little Crows breed opportunistically after significant rainfall, typically between July and October. They construct stick nests reinforced with mud high in trees near water sources. Outside the breeding season, they are highly nomadic, forming large mobile flocks that travel long distances following food availability. Their flocking behaviour includes coordinated aerial displays that are both visually striking and biologically significant for group cohesion.
Little Crows inhabit Australia’s dry inland regions, including mallee country, mulga scrub, and open woodlands west of the Great Dividing Range. They are often seen foraging on the ground in small to large flocks near rural towns, roadsides, or farm paddocks. Dawn and dusk are good times to observe their active feeding or group aerial displays. Their nasal calls are particularly helpful for identification when other similar species are present.
Physical Attributes
Height
46 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds84%
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