Fun Torresian Crow Facts For Kids

Do you like reading about different birds like ani birds? Then you will love reading about the Torresian crow (Corvus orru) of the Corvidae family often referred to as corvids or perchers. They have glossy black bodies with feathers at their head and neck. These birds are native to northern and western Australia but are also found in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia in the north. They build their nest high in a tree or on top of a tall building. The urban growth has made them quite dependent on food scraps left by humans and has also made some of the species adjust to urban life with nests built on the high location of a tall building. The Torresian crow eye is very unique and is one of their most distinguished feature making them appear interesting. The main threat or enemies of the Torresian crows are Australian magpies and noisy miners that successfully scare them off from their territory. Their conservation status is Least Concern with an increasing population. To learn more, keep on reading.

If you like reading about different birds, then check out our articles on magpie facts and huiea facts for more.

What type of animal is a Torresian crow?

The Torresian crow (Corvus orru) is a type of passerine bird of the Corvidae family.

What class of animal does a Torresian crow belong to?

Torresian crows belong to the family of Aves in the Animalia kingdom.

How many Torresian crows are there in the world?

Torresian crows are quite understudied and their exact population is still unknown, but their population has been listed as Least Concern.

Where does a Torresian crow live?

The Torresian crow is a corvid species of crows and ravens native to western and northern Australia and thus often called the Australian crow. They are also extensively found in Papua New Guinea, where it's called the Papuan crow, and the islands of Indonesia, as well.

What is a Torresian crow's habitat?

Torresian crows prefer tall trees as their habitat for building their nest. Hence, they are mostly seen inhabiting rainforests, tall scrublands, open forests. Also, found lingering near beaches or water bodies with tall trees nearby. They are sometimes found near croplands and farms in search of food and grains.

Who do Torresian crows live with?

These bird species are monogamous and live with one partner their entire life. They tend to live in large flocks of up to 15 crows and are extremely territorial. They only fly off nomadically to other territories during the breeding season, but most often come back to their old territories. Torresian crows have been known to live with their parents long after becoming adults.

How long does a Torresian crow live?

The Torresian crows or Australian crows have a long lifespan and can live up to 30 years in the wild.

How do they reproduce?

Torresian crows are monogamous and mate for life. The breeding season for these birds is between August and January with September and October being their prime time for laying eggs in newly built stick nests very high in a tree. Around two to four eggs are laid in the nest shaped like a bowl of sticks and grass. The female incubates the eggs for the first 20 days and then both parents get busy rearing the chicks for the next 40 days until they leave the nest and fly away.

What is their conservation status?

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List has listed these birds as Least Concern with an increasing population.

What do Torresian crows look like?

Adult Torresian crows have a large, robust, and glossy black body with throat hackles (throat feathers). The feathers on their head and neck are white at the base end. They have milky white irises with a blue eye-ring. The beak, plumage, and mouth are fully black as well. Young ones have a slightly duller shade of black in their plumage and brown eyes.

How cute are they?

Torresian crows can be considered cute to a certain extent, but they are a notorious bird species who are extremely loud and noisy, like a white-necked raven.

How do they communicate?

The Torresian crow uses its signature loud calls to communicate with each other. A Torresian crow call is quite loud and their voice is slightly nasal and more metallic.

How big is a Torresian crow?

The Torresian crows are quite a large perching bird species. They are roughly the size of a European carrion crow. They measure up to 19-21 in (48-53 cm) and weigh about 19 oz (550 g). The Torresian crow is just a little bigger than the little crow and slightly smaller than the Australian raven that are native to Australia, as well.

How fast can a Torresian crow fly?

Ravens and crows, in general, have an average flying speed of 30-60 mph (48-97 kph). However, due to the lack of enough information available, the exact speed of this species of birds or the Torresian crows is not known yet.

How much does a Torresian crow weigh?

Torresian crows are slightly robust in build than other crows and ravens. Both male and female crows weigh 19.4 oz (550 g) approximately.

What are the male and female names of the species?

The male and female Torresian crows don't have any specific names and are simply referred to as a male Torresian crow and a female Torresian crow.

What would you call a baby Torresian crow?

Baby ravens and crows are called chicks and the same term is used for a Torresian crow baby, as well.

What do they eat?

Torresian crow is an omnivorous bird species and its food habits include a wide range. These corvids eat just about anything from small fishes to human food scraps found in the urban location of Australia, from carrion to larvae, from grains to vegetable scraps. These corvids have a wide distribution throughout northern Australia and some other parts in the west and in Papua New Guinea and islands of Indonesia in the north. Their sharp strong beaks have enough power to scrap the raw meat of their live prey. It also helps them in feeding their chicks. Their predatory nature and skills are culturally transmitted amongst the new generation of this bird species.

Are they dangerous?

Torresian crows are very aggressive in nature especially the females of the species, like a common raven. They are known to dominate over most bird species in their territory except for Australian magpies and other large birds of prey. This particular species of crow, also called the Australian crow, is known to attack humans sometimes, too.

Would they make a good pet?

No, just like little crows, under no circumstances is a Torresian crow suitable as pets . They are quite intelligent birds that don't perform well in captivity. Also, they have extremely loud calls and are noisy. They are wild birds therefore not suitable to be kept in captivity.

Did you know...

Torresian crows have also been known to learn how to kill and eat a very poisonous cane toad by flipping it over and delivering a lethal blow, without ingesting any of the poison.

Do Torresian crows mate for life?

Yes, Torresian crows are monogamous and extremely territorial in nature. They do mate for life and live in the same territory for the rest of their lives.

How many eyes does a crow have?

All crows have two eyes like most other birds and animals. However, the corvid species like the crows use their eyes one at a time to increase their vision, viewpoint, and range of visuals. This helps them in preying and scavenging, as well as, in keeping a lookout for potential predators and hunters.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these carrion crow facts and hooded crow facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Torresian crow coloring pages.