Nesting and distribution pattern of house crow (Corvus splendens) in Western Rajasthan, India

Abstract

The population of Indian house crow (Corvus splendens) has increased considerably in cities worldwide. In the recent past, there has been an increase in the population of house crows in the Thar Desert of western Rajasthan, India. A survey of 1004 km was conducted on roads connecting Jaisalmer-Jodhpur–Bikaner and Barmer districts. About 463 house crows were averagely sighted out of which on average, about 161 crows recorded sitting on the roads were feeding on accident-killed animals. The density of crows in the study area was 15.37 crow/sq km. A total of 489 nests were observed during the roadside survey, of which about 69.5% (340) were found on the Acacia tortilis. Almost all nests were located at a height of 20 to 40 ft. The nest height on A. tortilis ranged from 25 to 30 ft only and ranged from 25 to 40 ft on Azadirachta indica. The scenario of the desert has changed owing to developmental activities, which may further facilitate the population growth of crows in this part of the desert.