• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category

This species has a large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km² combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Although the species is thought to be declining, it does not meet or approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Population justification
The population size of this species has not been quantified, but it is considered generally rare and most numerous in wetter parts of its range (Debus 2020). It is widespread, but occurs in low numbers, on the Aru islands (Diamond and Bishop 1994), and is quite common at Nimbokrang (Gibbs 1993). It is reportedly common in the forest interior of Waigeo (Beehler and Pratt 2016).

Trend justification
This species usually occurs deep in primary forest, occasionally in secondary growth and rarely in open areas (Beehler and Pratt 2016, Debus 2020); a slow population decline is therefore suspected as a result of habitat loss in some parts of the range, although large tracts of suitable habitat remain secure at present. Remote sensing data (Global Forest Watch 2023, using Hansen et al. [2013] data and methods disclosed therein) indicate that forest loss in this species' range has been slow but ongoing, equivalent to c.2% in the three generations to 2021, with some areas of habitat threatened by logging, mining and damming of rivers (Debus 2020). Declines are likely localised and tentatively placed here in the range 1-9% in three generations.

Corvus fuscicapillus is endemic to eastern Indonesia, where its known distribution is highly fragmented, presumably related to some unknown habitat specialisation. There are records from the Lower Mamberamo River and Nimbokrang (near Jayapura) in northern Papua, where it may prove to be more widespread, Waigeo and Gam in the West Papuan islands, and the Aru islands (Beehler et al. 1986, Gibbs 1993, Diamond and Bishop 1994, Eastwood 1996). There is an unconfirmed record on Yapen Island (Beehler and Pratt 2016).

This species mostly inhabits primary forest, but is also found in mangroves and occasionally second growth, but rarely occurs in open habitats and never on the coast or outlying islands. It occurs in lowlands and hills up to 500 m (Beehler et al. 1986, Diamond and Bishop 1994).

Remote sensing data indicate that forest loss is slow but ongoing within this species' range (Global Forest Watch 2023, using data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). Forest within its range is threatened in places by logging, a cobalt mining concession on Waigeo, and a dam proposed across the Mamberamo River, although much of the forest remains intact and relatively secure, and includes some protected areas (WWF-IUCN 1994-1995, Dekker and McGowan 1995, Sujatnika et al. 1995, K. D. Bishop in litt. 1996, Debus 2020).

Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation actions are known for this species, although some of its habitat is protected.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct repeated surveys within the species' range to determine its current distribution and abundance, as well as assess population trends and rates of habitat loss. Conduct ecological studies to improve understanding of its precise habitat requirements, tolerance of secondary habitats and response to fragmentation. Increase the area of suitable habitat that has protected status.

Text account compilers
Vine, J.

Contributors
Bishop, K.D.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Brown-headed Crow Corvus fuscicapillus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/brown-headed-crow-corvus-fuscicapillus on 25/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 25/12/2024.