Justification This crow is listed as Critically Endangered because it is assumed to have a tiny population, based on the lack of recent records, and rates of habitat loss. However, as very little is known about the species, further surveys are urgently required to enable a more accurate assessment of its threat status and conservation needs. Recent fieldwork may have rediscovered the species but the details have not yet been fully documented. Further information may well necessitate re-evaluating the species's status.

Family/Sub-family Corvidae

Species name author (Rothschild & Hartert, 1900)

Taxonomic source(s) Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 39 cm. Medium-sized, forest-dwelling crow. All black with dark iris and relatively short tail. Similar spp. Slender-billed Crow C. enca is larger with more massive bill and proportionately long tail. Voice Undocumented, but probably distinctly higher-pitched than C. enca.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

<50

unset

270 km²

Yes

Range & population Corvus unicolor is known from two specimens taken on an unspecified island in the Banggai archipelago, immediately east of Sulawesi, Indonesia. In 1991 and 1996, visits to the island group yielded no unequivocal records of this species. Crows the size of Slender-billed Crow C. enca (which occurs on neighbouring Sulawesi and the Sula Islands) were seen at six localities during these visits, with only one sighting of a smaller crow, perhaps this species, at an unspecified locality. One was reportedly shot by local hunters in 2007; and recent fieldwork in 2007-2008 (with sound recordings made and two specimens taken) may have rediscovered the species, but the details have not yet been fully documented^1,2.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: Very little is known. The small crow seen on a recent visit to the islands was in mossy forest at 660 m, and other recent reports have come from both lowlands and highlands on the archipelago, with the montane forests of Buko and Bulagi districts thought to be the remaining strongholds¹.

Threats Given that it is so poorly known, it is hard to identify specific threats. However, it may have been severely impacted by extensive deforestation, as by 1991 logging had begun in the last remaining areas of primary habitat, which will probably lead to further encroachment by shifting cultivators as a result of improved access. Exploration by mining companies is a serious potential threat in the near future¹.

Conservation measures underway Surveys continue for the species and follow up work is planned for the coming years. A team of local residents are now leading an awareness campaign and promoting the adoption of sustainable agriculture, while hunting of the crow has apparently ceased¹. Discussions have taken place with local governments over planned forest protection initiatives¹.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct a comprehensive search for the species throughout the archipelago (paying close attention to the use of vocalisations to aid detection) to establish its range, distribution, population status, and assess its habitat requirements and potential threats. Identify its conservation needs based on results of this survey, and thereby work towards the establishment of an appropriately sized and situated protected area supporting viable populations of this and other threatened species known to occur on the islands. Closely monitor potential mining activity and begin dialogue with mining companies where appropriate.

References BirdLife International (2001). 1. M. Indrawan in litt. (2007, 2008). 2. Masala et al. (2008).

Further web sources of information

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.

Fully detailed species accounts from the Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book (BirdLife International 2001), together with new information collated since the publication of the Red Data Book

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Geoffrey Davidson (Malaysian Nature Society), Pete Davidson (BirdLife International), Matt Harding (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International), Joe Tobias (BirdLife International)

Contributors M. Indrawan

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Corvus unicolor. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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