potential impacts of invasive house crows (corvus ... · governorate the crows were counted per...

Potential Impacts of Invasive House Crows

(Corvus Splendens) Bird Species in Ismailia

Governorate, Egypt: Ecology, Control and Risk

Management

A. M. Kamel Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

Email: [email protected]

Abstract—House crows (Corvus splendens) have become

well-established in Ismailia Governorate, Egypt, where they

pose several and serious impacts on native biodiversity,

ecosystems and humans health. However, there is a lack of

literature on the status and effects of invasive birds in Egypt.

Over the past 10 years in Ismailia, House crow have

increased at a rate approaching (60000 birds) 15% per

annum; if this were allowed to continue, the population now

10909 birds and will exceed more by 2014, probably

accompanied by an increase in geographical distribution in

all Suez canal regions and an exacerbation of the problems

caused. Population control is recommended, involving

improvements in urban hygiene and the capture of adult

crows using stupefying baits. Suitable baits and stupefacient

doses were identified and these should be used annually, just

before the breeding season. Control should be accompanied

by studies of relevant aspects of the biology of house crows

in Ismailia Governorate.

Index Terms—environmental impact, non-native invasive

species, house crow birds, risk management, ismailia-egypt

I. INTRODUCTION

The house crow (Corvus splendens) is native to India

and parts of its neighboring countries where it is closely

associated with people and has some negative impacts on

their communities, However, the effects of house crows

are so significant in the 25 or more countries throughout

Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia where the

bird has been introduced [1]-[3], and it is now regarded as

one of the world’s most invasive bird species [4].

Introduced house crows continue to spread across the

region of their introduction [5] with negative effects on

agriculture, tourism, human health, traffic, transport, and

biodiversity [2]. House crows eat crops and damage

orchards [6], [7]; disturb tourists and local citizens with

their loud calls, as well as their heavy defecation and

aggressive attacks when attempting to steal food [6];

transmit pathogens, which affect people and domestic

animals [8], [9] and also pose a bird strike risk to aero

planes [2]. The crows are also responsible for the

Manuscript received May 10, 2014; revised December 10, 2014.

reduction or severe depletion of small reptiles and

amphibians, 1. birds and mammals, insects, fish and

domestic animals [4] disturbances. However, in the areas

that are newly colonized by this bird species, the impact

is believed to be high. In most of the affected countries,

no control projects against the house crow are undertaken. The success of the House crow is considered to be the

cause of the decline of some other bird species inhabiting

Ismailia and surrounding areas, such as Lesser kestrel,

Hooded crow, Brown-necked raven, Fan-tailed raven,

Hoopoe, laughing dove, collard dove, Robin, White

throat kingfisher, pied avocet, white and yellow wagtail.

The species is also causing harassment to visitors at some

of the hotels along Fayed beaches, and reportedly may

cause economic losses by inflicting damage to main crops

and poultry (Atef, personnel communication). In

Addition, the species has been reported to be a possible

carrier and transmitter of diseases, such as cholera,

dysentery and West Nile Virus [8]. It is virtually

impossible to monitor the success of control or

eradication programs without any basic data on the

current distribution and numbers of the house crow. At

Present, no reliable data available on the number of crows

in and around Ismailia Governorate. As recommended,

there is need for more research into the House crow. The

aims of the present study were to: (1) to count the total

number of crows that roost on Ismailia and surrounding

cities & localities. (2) to assess which areas these crows

mainly come from., (3) to study the group size and

behavior at Study areas, and (4) to study the impact of

house crow on socio-economic and agriculture,

biodiversity and environment and Human health and

general amenity.

II. METHODOLOGY

A. Study Site: Ismailia

Ismailia is the East Gate of Egypt to pass to the Arab

countries and other Asian countries, it is in the middle of

Suez Canal territory which includes Canal It is Ismailia is

situated at 30.61° North latitude, 32.28° East longitude

and 14 meters elevation above the sea level.

Journal of Life Sciences and Technologies Vol. 2, No. 2, December 2014

2014 Engineering and Technology Publishing 86doi: 10.12720/jolst.2.2.86-89

B. Bird (Corvidae) Species

Four species of corvids were considered the most

common species in Ismailia Governorate, Brown necked

ravens (Corvus ruficollis), Fan-tailed Raven (Corvus

rhipidurus), Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) and House

Crow (Corvus splendens) are in huge amounts attracted.

The birds are very aggressive and showed to be a serious

pest. They spread germs and diseases for human health

and food production. Therefore, the birds need to be

controlled.

C. Bird Census

Birds monitoring patterns in Ismailia and surrounding

urban and rural areas (Abu souir and El maniaf,) were

carried out throughout study. Data were collected and

analyzed in a comprehensive database. On August 2013,

from 4.30 p.m. to 7.00 p.m., counts were made of all

crows sitting at Ismailia Governorate and surrounding

urban and rural localities, where daily activity patterns

increase. Counts were made by observers stationed

strategically at four observation points around the

Governorate the crows were counted per intervals of 15

minutes. Since most birds arrived in small to larger

groups, the number of birds present in each group was

recorded (although sometimes it was difficult to tell what

was one group). Counting was sometimes aided by the

use of binoculars, but most counts were performed by

naked eye. The position of the different counting stations

was chosen as to minimize the risk of double counts.

III. RESULTS

A. Current Bird Populations at Ismailia Governorate

and Other Locations

Table I and Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 summarize the results of

the counts. In total, we counted 10909 House Crows

roosting and flying across Ismailia Governorate and the

other five (5) observation sites between 16.30 and 19.00

p.m. Besides House Crows, only5 Hooded Crows and (3)

Brown –necked raven and 1 Brown-necked raven were

observed during were located at Old Suez Canal

University, whereas 1772 birds from Ismailia city

(16.24%), whereas in Suez Canal University old building

was 7443 (68%). It shows the distribution of the House

crow in the 5 study locations, with the peak of fling was

between 17.45 and 18.00 p.m.. Data for each individual

counting sites yielded similar temporal patterns and from

this figure it becomes clear that the counting period

covered nearly all the activities of House crow and that

the number of birds which counted prior to 16.30 pm and

after 19.00 (when it became too dark to count anything) is

likely to be insignificant. Prior to roosting, the birds

appeared to be in groups over trees, roofs of Suez Canal

University (Old and new buildings) and other high

buildings in Ismailia, and electrically poles & wires.

After their aggregations and had reached a certain size,

they started crossing to other areas or buildings as a large

groups. The size of each groups varies considerably, but

usually ranged from 4-10 birds during crossing areas and

increase up to 20-30 birds during roosting (go nesting).

This was most noticeable during peak period of roosting,

that is between 17.45 and 18.30 p.m.

Figure 1. Total number of house crow in thousands counted in all locations for each time interval in all locations.

Figure 2. Total number of House crow counted in five study locations

during time interval.

TABLE I. RESULTS OF COUNTS OF HOUSE CROW CROSSING AND ROOSTING IN ISMAILIA GOVERNORATE, SUEZ CANAL UNIVERSITY OLD BUILDING

AND SURROUNDING URBAN, RURAL AND LAKES AT THE 5 OBSERVATION POINTS DURING THE DIFFERENT TIME INTERVAL (DATE 1AGUST 2013 TIME: )

Time Interval Ismailia Abu Souwair Almanaif Suez Canal University Old Building Suez Canal Lakes Total

16.30-16.45 166 50 28 280 90 614

16.45-17.00 180 33 44 310 77 644

17.00-17.15 205 45 60 955 45 1210

17.15-17.30 153 33 75 1180 69 1510

17.30-17.45 244 66 33 1690 91 2124

17.45-18.00 190 37 60 1010 82 1329

18.00-18.15 99 88 55 930 65 1237

18.15-18.30 220 58 41 450 44 813

18.30-18.45 177 45 59 440 67 788

18.45-19.00 138 64 67 198 73 640

Total 1772 519 522 7443 642 10909


2014 Engineering and Technology Publishing 87

B. Ecological Impacts

The results show that, It seems reasonable to suggest

that the impacts of Indian house crows in Ismailia

Governorate would be comparable to those experienced

elsewhere. It was observed at Fishing Point and fish

farms, which is about 30 km north Timsah and Bitter

lakes, Ismailia. (Subsequent searching failed to detect the

bird. These impacts are like to be in the following areas:

Agriculture. The house crows are considered

significant pests throughout their range in Ismailia

Governorate, mainly due to their high abundance

in villages, towns and cities, where they create

considerable noise and are perceived as a risk to

human health and their crops. They have damaged

fruit crops (including mango, guava, dates, fig,

tomato, cucumber, grape, Cantaloupe, strawberry,

watermelon, and stone fruits e,g, peach),There is

also risk of damage to grain crops (,including

wheat, green beans, Cabbage, barley, peanuts, rice,

olives. especially in Abou Sowier and AlManif

cities, Serapium and other rural areas as well as

Timsah and Bitter lakes) they are considered a

serious threat to nesting seabirds.

Biodiversity & Environment. There is likely to be

reduced abundance of certain bird species,

especially urban species, because of predation of

eggs and chicks and competition for food. Are

likely to face strong competition with other bird

species identified in Ismailia Governorate.

Human health. There is significant community

concern about the risk of House crow bird-

transmitted diseases (West Nile virus).

IV. DISCUSSION

This study provides highlight and detailed record of

numbers of house crow in Ismailia Governorate (Suez

canal lakes and beaches, old Suez canal university) and

around (Abu Souweir and Al Manaif cities) that was

counted (10909 birds) does not include other cities, and

other birds move and form gregarious rooting to other

side of Suez canal channel (Al kantara) which remains

yet to be studied. Preliminary monitoring indicate that

most and main of the House crow roosting sit was the old

Suez Canal University, around slaughter house, hospitals,

railway station and gardens and Suez Canal beaches

where a strong and high trees were located and the crow

aggregate in groups (6-10 birds) then fly to other building

and cities around Ismailia. Indian house crows are

considered significant pests throughout their range,

mainly due to their high abundance in villages, towns and

cities, where they create considerable noise and are

perceived as a risk to human health [10]. There have

damaged fruit crops (including mango, guava, dates, fig,

tomato, cucumber, grape, Cantaloupe, strawberry,

watermelon, and stone fruits e,g, peach), especially in

Abou Sowier and Al Manif cities, but potentially in other

rural areas as well. There is also risk of damage to grain

crops (, including wheat, green beans, barley, peanuts,

rice, olives, Egg plant, green pepper, potatoes, cotton,

sesame, Maize, corn and sunflowers. Some losses of

poultry, newborn calves and newborn goats are possible.

[6] and [10]; reported that they have damaged fruit trees

(e.g. mango, guava, pawpaw, fig, apple, pear, grape and

stone fruits) and have raided grain crops, including wheat,

corn and sunflowers [11],[12]. House crows also reported

in Ismailia Governorate to kill poultry, pigeon, destroy

other bird nests, the same as reported by [12].

V. CONCLUSION

Bird monitoring suggests Indian house crows are well-

suited to most Ismailia governorate and surrounding

urban and rural areas. Since Indian house crows are well

established in Ismailia Governorate, there is an

opportunity to becoming a major pest. Successful risk

management will rely on detection and effective public

awareness. In particular, keen birdwatchers can play a

vital role in detection, as they can differentiate house

crows from native crows and ravens.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank all of the local peoples

and University of Suez Canal students (volunteers)

involved in house crow census, regardless of the capacity

in which they helped. We are indebted to all local

residents at census cities for their encourage and helping

me to prepare this paper to identify how big the impacts

and census of the house crow.

REFERENCES

[1] C. Ryall, “Predation and harassment of native bird species by the

Indian house crow corvus splendens in Mombasa, Kenya,” Scopus, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 1-8, 1992a.

[2] C. Ryall, “The pest status of the Indian house crow Corvus splendens in Mombasa and a survey of its expansion of range in

coastal Kenya,” in Proc. 7th Pan African Ornithological Congress,

L. Bennun, Ed., Nairobi, Aug. 1988. [3] C. Ryall, “Further records of range extension in the house crow

corvus splendens,” BOC Bulletin, vol. 122, no. 3, pp. 231-240, 2002.

[4] GISD, Global Invasive Species Database of the IUCN/ISSG

(Invasive Species Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union). Fact sheet on Corvus splendens. [Online]. Available:

http://www.issg/database

[5] A. Nyari, C. Ryall, and A. T. Peterson, “Global invasive potential

of the house crow Corvus splendens based on ecological niche

modelling,” Journal of Avian Biology, vol. 37, pp. 306–311, 2006. [6] M. S. Dhindsa, P. S. Sandhu, H. K. Saini, and H. S. Toor, “House

Crow damage to sprouting sunflower,” Trop. Pest Manage, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 179-181, 1991.

[7] C. J. Feare and J. Watson, “Status and management of house crow

in Mauritius,” Biological Conservation, vol. 51, pp. 63-70, 1990. [8] J. C. Cooper, “Health studies on the Indian house crow,” Avian

Pathology, vol. 25, pp. 381-386, 1996. [9] P. Roy, “Isolation of Newcastle disease virus from an Indian

house crow,” Tropical Animal Health and Production, vol. 30, no.

3, pp. 177-178, 1998. [10] V. R. Reddy, “Bird damage to maize crop on the student’s

research farm at Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh,” Pavo, vol. 36, no. 1–2, pp. 77–78, 1998.

[11] Department of Agriculture and Food, Risk assessment for house

crow (Corvus splendens).Department of Agriculture and Food, Perth, 2003.

[12] Department of Agriculture and Food, Animal Pest Alert: House Crow. National Animal Pest Alert Information Sheet 2.

Department of Agriculture and Food, Perth, 2008.



Kamel A. M., Head of Wildlife Management and Zoo Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University,

Ismailia, Egypt



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