Corvus meeki
The Bougainville Crow (*Corvus meeki*) is a striking, medium-sized corvid endemic to the islands of Bougainville and Buka in Papua New Guinea. Measuring approximately 40-41 cm in length, it is entirely clad in lustrous, glossy black plumage, which shimmers with hints of iridescent blue and purple in optimal light. Distinctive field marks include its relatively short tail and a robust, slightly arched bill, which differentiate it from other corvids in its restricted range. Taxonomically, it be...
Primarily inhabiting lowland and montane primary forests, the Bougainville Crow can also be found in secondary growth and forest edges from sea level up to at least 1,500 meters.
The Bougainville Crow is an omnivorous species, feeding predominantly on insects, larvae, and fruits, which it forages for by gleaning, probing, and snatching from vegetation and the forest floor.
Bougainville Crows are typically observed individually, in pairs, or small family groups, often foraging quietly within the forest canopy. They are diurnal, spending their days meticulously gleaning insects and fruits from foliage and branches, and occasionally descending to the forest floor. Whi...
The Bougainville Crow is exclusively found on Bougainville Island and the smaller, adjacent Buka Island, which are geographically part of the Solomon Islands archipelago but politically administered by Papua New Guinea. Its distribution spans from the coastal lowlands to the montane interior, wit...
Least Concern
- The Bougainville Crow is strictly endemic to just two islands: Bougainville and Buka, making it a true island specialist. - It was named after Albert S. Meek, a British naturalist and professional bird collector who extensively explored the Melanesian region in the late 19th and early 20th cent...