Hawaiian Crow

Hawaiian Crow (Corvus hawaiiensis )

The Hawaiian Crow (Corvus hawaiiensis ), referred to in the Hawaiian language as Alala, is an extremely rare raven bird that only exists in captivity in Hawaii.

Name Origin and Description

The name Alala means on the one " like a small animal scream ". In fact, the reputation of the Crow at the crying of a small child remembers. On the other hand it means " wake up with the sun ." This is due to that its loud, piercing cry is heard even at dawn. This bird reaches a size of 48 centimeters. The entire body is carbon black. Only the wings are colored somewhat paler. The eyes are brown. The young birds have blue eyes.

Way of life

The Hawaiian Crow is omnivorous. It feeds on fruits, carrion, eggs, nestlings and waste as well as insects that are found in the bark. Both parents participate in nest building. There are usually five eggs laid and incubated by one parent while the other sits quietly next to the partner.

Endangering

The decline of this kind began around 1890 with the appearance of white farmers in Hawaii. Previously, the Alala on all Hawaiian Islands was widespread, but in 1891 it was regarded as a pest and mercilessly persecuted. The farmers received for their cry, which was considered the loudest bird cry in the woods Kona. When the birds were lured close enough, they were shot down. At the beginning of the 20th century, the once great Alala swarms were gone. Originally they fed on the berries of the ieie Vine ( Freycinetia arborea ), the Ohelo berry (also known as Hawaiian crane berry, Vaccinium reticulatum ) or other fruits from the forests, but had to after the original koa acacia make way for imported plant species, the lifestyle of Alala changed. Introduced species such as the Gold Dust Mongoose ( Herpestes auropunctatus ) and the change in food availability and bird diseases led to a further dramatic decline. In 1973, the Hawaiian Crow was put under protection. In 1996 there were only 14 copies in the wild and in 1999 only three. 2002 disappeared the last two birds from their breeding grounds in the " Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge ." Thus, it was considered extinct than in the wild. From the 1970s, the Hawaiian Crow was also bred in captivity. 1996, there were 15 specimens in captivity. In 1998, the failure of a company, auszuwildern 24 copies. Since the cultured animals were not able to defend themselves against new enemies such as the Hawaiian hawk ( Buteo solitarius ) and the entrained avian malaria, came to 18 animals. The surviving six animals were recaptured. Currently, 56 birds live in two breeding stations ( as of 2009). Announced in 2009 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to to put $ 14 million into a conservation project, especially to protect habitats and eliminate possible threats for wild crows.