Notes on Nests and Behavior of the Hawaiian Crow

Abstract

Among the scanty writings on the Hawaiian crow (Corvus tropicus Gmelin), there is no detailed record of its nest and eggs or of its habits associated with the breeding cycle. Berger (in press) lists and reviews the literature and reports that the current total population of this species may be as small as 25 birds. This present paper describes the final example of use by crows of a traditional nesting ground on the lower northeast flank of the Hualalai volcano, Hawaii County, Hawaii, in 1964. A nest discovered under construction on March 26 was observed at intervals of 6 to 9 days, through April 26, when it failed; a single infertile egg remained from the original clutch of five and the crows were then in the process of abandoning the nest.