Some people think crows are not endangered because of their large numbers in the countryside and framer crops, but changes in the ecosystem are affecting their number.
Are Crows Endangered Species? Many crow species are endangered because of habitat loss, disease spread, hunting and predation, and agricultural development. The Hawaiian crow is declared extinct in the wild, and only 120 of these are left in this world under human care. American crows are increasing in number because they can thrive in changing climate conditions and adapt the new habitat.
These birds are decreasing in their population in many areas of the world, and you do not see many crows around your living place if there are no trees and a suitable environment for them.
Why are crows endangered species?
Many species of crows are in danger because of the various environmental and geographical factors affecting their survival on Earth.
Habitat loss
Crows make habitats in areas where environmental conditions are suitable, and they can conveniently get food from their surroundings.
They can breed and raise their young babies conveniently and are aware of predators and climate changes in these areas. Habitat loss is one of the most prominent reasons these species become endangered or extinct.
They lose their habitat when their essential needs, such as food, nest, and water, are destroyed, and there is a sudden and drastic change in the climate, which causes them to migrate to other places.
The places where they migrate may not be suitable for them, or it is difficult for them to adapt to the changing environment and climate change.
The specie can start losing the population, as some birds cannot survive the changing climate and habitat loss.
There is a high chance that they cannot find food sources near the new habitat.
Diseases
They are less in number because many diseases, such as Avian Poxvirus, West Nile Virus, New Castle Disease, and Histoplasmosis, can cause infection, and sometimes they cannot survive the severe conditions.
The diseases can spread from one bird to another, which causes a sudden decrease in population. Scientists think these contagious diseases are one of the main reasons to become endangered.
Many crow species are now extinct in this world because of the disease spread in them, and they cannot survive the infections in their bodies.
In most cases, the extinct species are due to their exposure to unfamiliar pathogens, which their bodies experienced for the first time.
Their immune systems are not strong enough to fight the unknown and highly-contagious pathogens and bacteria, and they start becoming extinct in their surroundings.
Hunting and predation
Another reason for their decreasing number is hunting and predation. Hunters kill the birds so they do not make voices and alarm the prey to run away from this place.
They make sharp and high-pitched noises to scare the hunter or predator, but sometimes the hunter attacks them when they are not noticing them.
Their sharp voices can warn other animals, which causes the hunters to lose their prey. The crow population is decreasing in areas where people excessively go hunting.
Agricultural development
Development in agriculture also causes a decrease in their population, and they are becoming endangered with the advanced and more technology uses.
Framers and landlords use bird repellents to keep them away from these crops, as according to a report, crows are agricultural pests and can destroy many crops, such as peanut, corn, pecan, and sunflower.
Some people use slow poising to get rid of these birds in certain areas, which can cause the species to become extinct in this place over time.
Which are extinct crow species?
The Hawaiian crow is one of the extinct crow species, which was found in different islands of Hawaiian, such as South Kohala, Kau, Kona, Puna, and dry or semi-dry woodlands.
Only 120 Hawaiian crows are alive under the supervision of humans; otherwise, there are no individual crows left from this species in the world.
The natural predators in their habitat cause these birds to become endangered, as they cannot deal with the larger predators, such as dogs, cats, and Hawaiian hawks.
The specie was declared extinct and added to the red list in 2002. Habitat loss, disease spread, and climate change caused more than 77 bird species in Hawaiian extinct in the world.
Which is the least endangered crow species?
The American crow is the least endangered species, spreading from South Canada, Mexico, and the United States. There is a wide distribution of American crows in North America.
They are the most intelligent birds in the Corvidae family, as they have excellent problem-solving techniques and make sharp cawing sounds in the wild.
They can eat everything available, such as dead insects, birds, leftover food particles, crops, and garbage.
The IUCN has declared the American crows as the least endangered species because they can thrive in changing climates.
The specie can maintain the population because they can find food sources in the surroundings and become habitual to the different habitats.
However, the local species can face some threats from the surroundings, such as predators and human activities, pesticides use, and the killing of these birds during hunting.
How to protect endangered crow species?
Migratory Bird Treaty Act protects various birds’ security and protection and restricts the relocation, trading, selling, and killing of these birds without a permit.
You need to get a permit from wildlife agencies if the area around your living space has many crows and they are damaging the property.
You can protect the endangered crow species by protecting their habitat and providing them with suitable conditions to thrive. It is better to preserve the nesting areas, food resources, and forests if the species is at extinction risk.
Secure their nesting areas or habitat and educate people to avoid the habitat destruction of these species to prevent them from extinction.
Make strategies and plant crops or food sources for these birds and avoid using pesticides and other toxic chemicals that cause them to get sick or die.
Spread awareness about the endangered species among farmers and landlords and ask them to avoid killing and trapping these species.
Which countries do not have crows?
Some countries do not have crows because of geographical and environmental conditions.
New Zealand is one of the countries that do not have crow species, as this country has other bird species.
The geographical and ecological factors are the other reasons which cause them to not have a habitat there. There are no natural and suitable habitat conditions available for crows.
They are also absent in South America, Madagascar, Iceland, and some Pacific islands because other birds are present to fill the area.
South America does not have crows because it has other birds to fill its space, and crows prefer to stay in their habitat in North America.
They do not move or migrate towards South America because all food resources and suitable nesting conditions are available in North America.
These birds can accidentally enter these countries while migrating or forget the routes to their native areas.
Why Japan has so many crows?
Japan is a well-developed country with different animal and bird species residing in the forest and urban areas.
It has a large number of crows compared to many other countries because there are more exposed garbage areas, which serve as food sources for these birds.
The waste bins are not covered in many areas, which attracts many birds, including crows.
The development in urban areas also attracts these birds, as more roosting places and food resources are present in well-developed and highly populated areas.
The predators that attack crows are fewer in this country, which also causes an increase in their population. They get suitable habitats and environments to thrive.
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