From: Martin on 02/02/2001 11:48 AM
To:
cc:
Subject: House Crow - a 'threat?'
Further to Tony's comments on destruction of House Crows in Australia.
Long's (1981) Introduced Birds of the World gives the following account (in
part) for the species in Australia:
'...(the species) do not appear to have gained a permanent foothold in either WA
or Victoria, where they have often been recorded. (the following dates are
given)
May 1959 - 3 birds flew ashore into Geelong from the (Colombo) merchant vessel
Tavince
March 1963 - single bird sighted sw of Melbourne
A considearble number of House Crows have arrived in WA since 1926...and the
authorities destroyed at least 30 birds...
They are a useful scavenger (in India) but also attack small birds and eat their
eggs...(the species also) raid crops and cause severe damage to fruit in
orchards. (They are known to)...fly in and out of houses without restraint and
pilfer anything edible.
No opinions or other reasons are given for destroying the species.
Ref: Long, J. L. (1981) Introduced Birds of the World: The worldwide history,
distribution and influence of birds introduced to new environments. Reed Books:
Sydney. ISBN 0 589 50260 3
Martin O'Brien
Executive Scientific Officer - Scientific Advisory Committee
Parks Flora and Fauna Division
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
4/250 Victoria Pde.,
East Melbourne 3002
AUSTRALIA
Tel: 9412 4567
Fax: 9412 4586
(prefixes: Interstate 03 International 613)
email:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Visit the Biodiversity Section of the
Department of Natural Resources and Environment at: http://www.nre.vic.gov.au/
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the message
"unsubscribe birding-aus" (no quotes, no Subject line)
to
|
