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

Justification of Red List category
This species has a small range in western Flores, Indonesia, within which it is suspected to be declining, albeit slowly, in response to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. It is therefore considered to be at a moderately high risk of extinction, and is listed as Near Threatened.

Population justification
The population size has not been quantified but the species is described as uncommon in forest (Eaton et al. 2021). A lack of population data are available to give an accurate estimation of population size, however it is unlikely to be especially large due to its small range where it is found at low densities. However, records on eBird (2024) indicate that the species is regularly encountered at sites with good survey effort.

Trend justification
Corvus florensis inhabits forested areas in western Flores. With its reliance on forested areas it is probable that population declines are in line with rates of habitat loss. It is thought to be intolerant of total forest clearance, however it can tolerate forest degradation (Butchart et al. 1996). In the three generations (17 years) to 2023, tree cover in this species’ range declined by 3% (Global Forest Watch (2024) based on data from Hansen et al. (2013) and methods therein). Precautionarily, similar rates are suspected to occur in the future three generations. Because of this, the species is suspected to be declining at an ongoing rate of 1-9%.

Corvus florensis is endemic to the islands of Flores, Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, where it is known from the lowlands in the western half of Flores (BirdLife International 2001). 

It inhabits semi-evergreen forest and degraded, moist, deciduous monsoon-forest (especially along watercourses) from sea-level to 1,000 m, where it generally frequents the canopy or subcanopy; surveys in 2011 predominantly found it in mature forest (Reeve and Rabenak 2016). In coastal areas it occurs in open bamboo and "open monsoon woodland or scrub" which constitutes "very dry, lightly wooded terrain". It has been recorded in degraded forest (Reeve and Rabenak 2016), and it will feed at the forest edge and in adjacent vegetable cultivation, but its general absence from small, relict forest patches suggests it may not adapt well to habitat fragmentation.

The primary threat to this species stems from ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation, largely due to the encroachment of small-scale agriculture. Although the species demonstrates some resilience to forest degradation, having been recorded in degraded habitats and secondary forests, its remains dependent to forest landscapes (Reeve and Rabenak 2016). The degradation of large tracts of lowland moist deciduous forest, notably at Golo Bilas, one of its frequent habitat sites, due to activities such as deforestation for firewood and construction materials, poses a significant risk to the species. Forest clearance has also allowed the larger C. macrohynchos to expand its range on Flores which could potentially result in nest predation as the two corvid species come into closer contact (Madge 2020).
C. florensis is also reportedly considered a pest by some villagers and may steal chicken eggs. Consequently, villagers have put out eggs laced with DDT to poison the crows (Madge 2020).

Conservation Actions Underway
Two recent surveys have been conducted on Flores, with C. florensis being a species targeted for study. It has been recorded in the Wolo Tadho Strict Nature Reserve and Wae Wuul Nature Reserve.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct further surveys in central and eastern Flores (particularly in northern Ende, where moist, deciduous monsoon-forest is reported to be extensive) to establish its current distribution and population size. Conduct ecological research to assess its success in different forest-types. Extend Wolo Tadho Strict Nature Reserve and support the establishment of further protected areas in western Flores (including Tanjung Kerita Mese, Golo Bilas and Nanga Rawa).

40 cm. Medium-sized, forest-dwelling crow. Plumage all black, dark iris. Feathering extends halfway along ridge of bill. Similar spp. Large-billed Crow C. macrorhynchos is much larger with more massive bill. Voice High-pitched, downwardly inflected cwaaa or cawaraa. Also waak repeated 1-3 times, resonant popping or gurgling and wheezing contact call.

Text account compilers
Tobias, J., Westrip, J.R.S., Taylor, J., Benstead, P., Chad, E., Bird, J., Davidson, P.

Contributors
Butchart, S., Lehmberg, T., Pilgrim, J. & Trainor, C.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Flores Crow Corvus florensis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/flores-crow-corvus-florensis on 22/11/2024.
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 22/11/2024.