Damage by the house crow
The house crow is a major pest of agriculture, raiding crops such as wheat, maize and sunflower. It causes severe damage to vegetables and fruit crops including mango, guava, pawpaw, fig, apple, pear, grape and stone fruit. The house crow will attack and can kill poultry, new-born calves and kid goats. Adult livestock are harassed and can be injured.
In some countries the house crow is considered a major pest of the environment, preying on the chicks and eggs of native birds, destroying nests and harassing birds and other animals. Some native birds in Kenya have been displaced by the introduced house crow.
The house crow causes considerable nuisance to people as it scatters rubbish, damages electrical wiring, blocks drainpipes and interferes with power supplies. Large flocks are very noisy, make a mess with droppings, and pose a bird strike hazard to aircraft.
The house crow may spread disease to people and it can attack people to steal food and shiny jewellery.
Many control programs overseas have attempted to eradicate the house crow or lessen the damage it causes. Methods used include shooting and scaring with firearms, trapping, chemical repellents, poison baits and habitat modification. Other methods include destruction of nests and paid-bounties on crow eggs and chicks.
Potential to be a pest in Australia
The house crow is rated as being highly likely to establish populations in Australia and become a pest of agriculture, the environment and public amenity.
A scientific risk assessment conducted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in Western Australia and endorsed by the national Invasive Plants and Animals Committee indicates that the house crow poses an extreme threat (the highest of 4 categories) to Australia. Part of the assessment showed that the climates of the house crow’s overseas range and Australia are very similar.
It is therefore important to quickly remove birds found in Australia. Introduced populations could threaten biodiversity, with native corvids and many small animals potentially at risk.
Crops including cereals, oilseeds and fruits could be at risk. Livestock production may be subject to loss of fodder, spoilage of food at feedlots or attack from the house crow. The house crow may also add to the nuisance already caused in urban areas by native corvids and other birds.
Birds in the wild
The house crow is prohibited from import into Australia but it is occasionally transported here on ships. It has been found in Victoria but more commonly in Western Australia due to the state being close to ports in southern Asia where the house crow occurs.
Declared pest category
The Western Australian Organism List (WAOL) contains information on the area(s) in which this pest is declared and the control and keeping categories to which it has been assigned in WA. Use the links on this page to reach house crow in WAOL.
Reporting
To help prevent the house crow from establishing in the wild and becoming a pest in Australia, it is essential to immediately report all sightings so that any house crow reported can then be removed humanely.
Report suspected sightings to::
Pest and Disease Information Service
Phone: 9368 3080
Email: padis@dpird.wa.gov.au