• 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). The species is suspected to be declining but 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 is unknown but probably very large, and hence 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 global population size has not been quantified, but the species is reported to be relatively numerous in forest on Halmahera (Madge and Burn 1993). A survey of Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park, Halmahera, gave a potential population estimate of c.44,000 individuals within the NP (H. Bashari in litt. 2016, 2023), suggesting the global population size is very large.

Trend justification

This species is precautionarily suspected to be declining in line with ongoing habitat loss within its range. Forest cover extent in the range reduced by c.8-9% in the three generations to 2022 (Global Forest Watch 2023, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein). Habitat degradation is also severe, and deforestation in this region is projected to increase (Voigt et al. 2021). However, the species shows an apparent tolerance of modified habitats and is noted to stray into plantations (Eaton et al. 2021), which would be expected to buffer its population against the loss of primary habitat to some extent. Based on this, declines are tentatively placed in the range 1-15% over three generations.

Corvus validus is found on the islands of Morotai, Halmahera, Kayoa, Kasiruta and Bacan, Indonesia (del Hoyo et al. 2009). It was previously thought to occur on Obi, although surveys in 2012 failed to find this species and interviews with local residents showed this species was unfamiliar to them (Mittermeier et al. 2013).

The species mainly inhabits primary forest below 1200 m, is locally found in secondary, degraded forest and edge, and has been recorded in agricultural areas, including plantations, grassland with trees, and in settlements on Halmahera (del Hoyo et al. 2009, H. Bashari in litt. 2016, Eaton et al. 2021).

The primary threat to the species is habitat loss through commercial logging for timber, and clearance for shifting agriculture, mining, settlements and plantations of oil palm, coffee, rubber, coconut, clove, nutmeg and timber species (Vetter 2009, Burung Indonesia in litt. 2014, H. Bashari in litt. 2016). Another potential threat is posed by wildfires, which have devastated areas on other Indonesian islands, with the chances of such fires being increased by the conversion of forest to scrub and grassland and the opening up of forests for road construction, as well as selective logging and fragmentation (Vetter 2009).

Conservation Actions Underway
There are no targeted conservation actions known for this species, though some of its range is covered by protected areas.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Carry out surveys to assess the species' population size. Conduct regular surveys to monitor the population trend. Continue to monitor rates of habitat loss. Increase the area of suitable habitat with protected status.

Text account compilers
Vine, J.

Contributors
Burung Indonesia, Bashari, B. & Mittermeier, J.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Long-billed Crow Corvus validus. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/long-billed-crow-corvus-validus on 23/12/2024.
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 23/12/2024.