Corvus cornix
The maned crow is Delta's "strategist". Highly adaptable and intelligent, she is often seen at the water's edge looking for scraps of fish or near fishermen's huts.
Easily recognised by its two-tone plumage: the body is ash-grey while the head, throat, wings and tail are black. The bill is stout and slightly hooked at the tip. Its medium size — between a Carrion Crow and a Raven — gives it an imposing presence.
Occupies almost every habitat in the Delta, from lakeshores to village gardens, from farmland to reedbeds. A resident species and extremely numerous, present in every settlement in the Delta.
An effective nest predator, consuming the eggs and chicks of other birds, as well as carrion and household waste. Its intelligence allows it to solve complex problems to reach food. It is one of the few species to have demonstrated tool use and the ability to recognise individual human faces.
Builds a sturdy nest of sticks, lined with wool and feathers, usually high in a tree. The female lays 4–6 eggs, incubated for approximately 18–20 days. Young birds remain with their parents for a long period after fledging, forming family groups.
Globally Least Concern (LC). A highly successful species requiring no conservation measures. It is sometimes considered a problem species for colonial waterbirds due to nest predation, and its local impact on vulnerable species can be significant.