The Samar crow, formerly known as the small crow, is a passerine bird in the genus Corvus of the family Corvidae. It is endemic to the islands of Samar and Mindanao in the Philippines. However, it has not been recorded in Mindanao since the 1980s. Its natural habitats are primary tropical moist lowland forest. It is now extremely rare and likely endangered. It is threatened by habitat loss and hunting.
Region
Eastern Visayas, Philippines (historically also Mindanao)
Typical Environment
Occurs mainly in primary tropical moist lowland rainforest, including riparian and mature secondary forest near intact tracts. It favors interior forest and edges adjacent to undisturbed stands, where tall emergent trees provide nesting and perching sites. Records from Mindanao are historical, with no recent confirmations, suggesting any former population there is now extremely scarce or extirpated. It avoids heavily degraded habitats and is rarely seen in agricultural mosaics.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Samar crow is a small, forest-dwelling corvid restricted to the Philippines, most reliably on Samar. It was historically reported from Mindanao, but there have been no confirmed records there since the 1980s. It keeps to primary lowland rainforest and is easily overlooked due to its quiet, wary habits. Ongoing loss of lowland forest and hunting pressure are the principal threats.
Temperament
shy and wary
Flight Pattern
direct with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly, in pairs, or small family groups, keeping to mid- to upper-canopy levels. Nests are built high in tall forest trees, with both adults participating in care of young. Territorial near nest sites, but may loosely associate at feeding opportunities along forest edges.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are soft, short caws and gruff notes, much less raucous than larger Corvus species. Calls may include rattling or nasal phrases, often given from concealed perches within the canopy.
