Reproduction

Pairs of Hawaiian crows are primarily monogamous but extra-pair matings have been observed.

Nest building begins in March and pairs will deposit their first eggs in April. In to the nest the female lays 1 to 5 eggs which are incubated for 20-25 days. Females complete all of the incubation and brooding.

Once the eggs hatch the male will help to feed the nestlings. Parents provide food for the chicks until eight months old. Their first flight will occur around 40 days old.

Their nest is formed from sticks among a tree.

Sexual maturity is reached by 2 years old for females and between 2 and 4 years old for males.

Behavior

Hawaiian crows are highly vocal. They will produce 24 different calls which include squeals and growls. Some of their calls have been described as human like.

Predators and Threats

The Hawaiian crow has been considered extinct in the wild since 2002 but persists in managed care. In 2016 attempts begun to reintroduce the species but of 30 birds released only 5 survived. These were returned to captivity in 2020.

One of the largest threats to the Hawaiian Crow was the Hawaiian Hawk or ‘Io.

Introduced predators such as rats, mongoose and cats. Introduced ungulates such as goats, cattle, sheep and more have disturbed the understory reducing their food sources.

Populations in managed care have grown from less than 20 in the 1990s to around 110 today.

Hawaiian crows have been threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation, inbreeding related issues and predation by introduced mammals.

Humans would hunt the species. Some were killed by pig hunters who would hunt the birds as they would scare off the pigs by uttering their alarm call.

Quick facts

Hawaiian crows are also known as the ‘Alalā.’

These birds are seen as some of the smartest birds in existence and have been recorded to use tools. Tool use is recorded in few birds. They use it when foraging for food.